Clash of statements between the United States and Ukraine. President Joe Biden confirmed that his counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenski, "did not listen" to US warnings before the start of the war in Russia.
"I know many thought I was exaggerating, but I was convinced we had accurate data and analysis," said the White House chief.
"Zelensky did not listen to us, like many other people. "I understand the motive, but in the end Putin did it," said the American president. He pointed out that nothing like this had happened before since World War II. Ukraine's response to these statements was swift.
"President Zelensky asked Western partners to impose preventive sanctions against Russia before the start of the war, but it was not heeded," said presidential spokesman Sergei Nikiforov.
He also demanded further clarification regarding Biden's statements. The two presidents held a series of telephone conversations before February 24, when Putin started the war by bringing over 100,000 troops into Ukrainian territory.