According to a new report, one of President Joe Biden’s weekly phone calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this past summer ended with Biden becoming extremely frustrated with his Ukrainian counterpart.
The exclusive report comes from four people familiar with the call who spoke to NBC News. They shared with the news organization that the call in mid-June was different from others the two had before.
The report says that Biden had told Zelenskyy about a $1 billion U.S. military package he had greenlighted to aid Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Almost instantly, Zelenskyy began asking for additional help he needed and wasn’t getting.
NBC News reported that Biden then lost his temper, saying that the American people were being generous and his administration and the U.S. military were working extremely hard to get Ukraine the help it needed.
Those familiar with the call said that he then raised his voice and told Zelensyy he could show a little more gratitude for all that was being done to help him.
The report says Biden and Zelenskyy’s relationship has only improved since the June phone call. The Ukrainian President has praised the U.S. for its assistance in multiple statements since.
“I had an important conversation with U.S. President Biden today,” he said in videotaped remarks after the phone call. “I am grateful for this support. It is especially important for our defense in Donbas.”
The conversation wasn’t said to be heated or angry but rather direct on the part of Biden with Zelenskyy, those familiar with the conversation said.
However, the report did note that Biden’s frustration with Zelenskyy had been building for weeks as he and some of his top aides felt the administration was doing all it could to help Ukraine. At the same time, Zelenskyy continued to point out publicly what wasn’t being done, adding to Biden’s frustration.
A spokesperson for Zelenskyy did not respond to a request for comment on the report from NBC News.
The news comes as support for funding Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion is beginning to dwindle among Americans and lawmakers voting on the aid.
A survey done by the Pew Research Center found that only 38% of Americans are extremely or very concerned about Ukraine losing the war, down from 55% in May. Those not too concerned or not at all concerned about Russia winning have shot up from 16% in May to 26% now.
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