US Speaker Johnson will not meet Zelenskyy in Washington: Reason revealed

During his conversation with journalists, the Speaker said he could not schedule a meeting with Zelenskyy on Thursday, September 26, when the Ukrainian president is expected to arrive in Washington, due to his other commitments.

"I don't even think I'll be in town now tomorrow (September 26)," Johnson said.

He added that if the meeting had taken place, he would have discussed the situation involving Ukraine’s ambassador, Oksana Markarova, with Zelenskyy. Johnson expressed concern, calling recent events "terrible." The Speaker of the House noted that these issues strain relations between the two countries at a difficult time for Ukraine.

According to Voice of America, President Zelenskyy in Washington plans to meet with the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Zelenskyy is also scheduled to meet with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Gregory Meeks, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Additionally, Zelenskyy will meet with the US House Armed Services Committee.

It is worth noting that Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson complained to President Zelenskyy about Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, and demanded her dismissal. The reason was Zelenskyy's visit to a defense plant, which was organized by Markarova. Johnson did not like that representatives of the Democratic Party accompanied Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy's visit to the US

President Zelenskyy is currently on a working visit to the US. He addressed the United Nations and met with US President Joe Biden. They also have another meeting planned to discuss Ukraine’s victory plan.

Zelenskyy was supposed to meet with US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump during his visit. However, Trump has not yet confirmed whether the meeting will take place.