Many moons and a few million news cycles ago, Donald Trump was impeached for a conversation he had with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he asked that head of state to investigate Joe Biden, the former vice president and imminent political rival of Trump’s, and his son Hunter. Implied (depending on whom you ask) in the conversation was a quid pro quo involving a congressionally approved military-aid package meant to help Zelensky deter and ward off Russian incursions into his country’s territory. Biden made this incident and Trump’s alleged deference to Russian interests a not-insignificant aspect of his campaign.
That’s why it was odd that over two months into his presidency, Biden had not so much as spoken to Zelensky. Yesterday, he came under fire from a wide spectrum of voices for his inattention to Ukraine and regional tensions. Jonathan Swan of Axios summed up the criticism concisely:
Bizarrely, President Biden has still not spoken — not even once — with the Ukrainian President Zelensky. This while Russia is escalating and menacing Ukraine. https://t.co/EnN5jK54Sm
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) April 1, 2021
