CIA Director William Burns visits Ukraine 'for the last time'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on December 21 that he met with CIA Director William Burns in Ukraine.

President Zelensky said he met CIA Director William Burns several times during the nearly three-year Russia-Ukraine conflict, but their meetings have not been disclosed, according to AFP.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) shakes hands with CIA Director Bill Burns in Kyiv, in this photo released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on December 21, 2024.

Mr. Zelensky posted a photo of himself shaking hands with Mr. Burns in front of the Ukrainian national emblem on December 21. He did not say when the meeting took place, but confirmed that it would be their last meeting before Mr. Burns leaves his position as CIA director.

"Bill Burns made his last visit to Ukraine as CIA Director. He and I have had many meetings during this fight and I am grateful for his support," Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

“Usually, such meetings are not announced and all our meetings – in Ukraine, other European countries, the United States and elsewhere in the world – are held without official information,” Zelensky added.

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The last confirmed meeting between Mr Zelensky and Mr Burns was in mid-2023. At that time, US officials said Mr Burns made a secret trip to Ukraine.

Mr. Zelensky revealed the above information in the context of Mr. Burns preparing to leave the position of CIA Director when US President-elect Donald Trump nominated his candidate for this position.

The meeting comes at a crucial time in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a month before Mr Trump takes office. Mr Trump has pledged to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict within hours, raising concerns that Kyiv could be forced to accept peace on terms favourable to Moscow, according to AFP.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giam-doc-cia-william-burns-tham-ukraine-lan-cuoi-185241222081208525.htm