SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 25 April 2024, Thursday |

Biden to travel to Poland to discuss Ukraine crisis with Duda

US President Joseph Biden will visit Poland on Friday to discuss the international response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has triggered a “humanitarian and human rights crisis,” according to White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki late Sunday.

According to the White House, Biden will travel to Warsaw for a bilateral meeting with President Andrzej Duda. Over 2 million refugees have entered Poland from Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24, according to the Polish border guard on Friday.

Biden’s trip to Poland comes a day after he meets with NATO allies, G7 leaders, and European Union leaders in Brussels to discuss international efforts to support Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, according to the White House.

The White House also said Biden will host a call Monday at 11 a.m. EST with President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom to discuss their coordinated responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

United Nations data showed as of Thursday about 3.2 million have fled abroad from Ukraine since last month, in what has become Europe’s fastest growing refugee crisis since World War Two. The U.N. said some of the 2 million people entering Poland from Ukraine have moved on to other countries in the EU but the “the majority are believed to be still in Poland.”

On Thursday, Biden will attend an emergency NATO Summit on Ukraine as well as a G7 meeting. He will also join a scheduled European Council Summit to discuss Ukraine “including transatlantic efforts to impose economic costs on Russia, provide humanitarian support to those affected by the violence, and address other challenges related to the conflict,” the White House said.

Earlier on Sunday, Psaki said Biden was not planning to visit Ukraine during his European trip this week.

    Source:
  • Reuters