But Germany has argued the completion of Nord Stream 2 is vital to its energy security, and Russia views the pipeline as a means of expanding its influence across Europe while raking in revenue.
Amid negotiations between Washington and Berlin over the project, U.S. officials have quietly urged their counterparts in Kyiv to refrain from public criticism of the potential pact — warning that such dissent could damage the Washington-Kyiv relationship.
Biden first extended the invitation for Zelensky to visit the White House last month, ahead of Biden’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva. At the time, Zelensky had been critical of the Biden-Putin meeting and scolded the U.S. for waiving sanctions related to the construction of the Nord Stream 2.
Biden responded by speaking with Zelensky before sitting down with Putin, assuring him of America’s “unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity†in the face of Russian aggression. In that conversation, Biden also invited Zelensky to visit the White House sometime this summer.
