Zelenskyy's US visit
President Biden looks forward to welcoming President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to the White House on 30 August 2021, the White House has said.
"The visit will affirm the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression in the Donbas and Crimea, our close cooperation on energy security, and our backing for President Zelenskyy’s efforts to tackle corruption and implement a reform agenda based on our shared democratic values," the message reads.
Afterwards, Zelenskyy tweeted: "Look forward to a substantive & productive meeting with
@POTUS on Aug 30. The USA is our top strategic partner. We will have frank & vibrant discussion regarding serious security threat NS2 poses to Ukraine, peace in #Donbas, return of #Crimea & the economic development challenges Ukraine faces."
Nord Stream 2
Dmytro Kuleba and Zbigniew Rau, the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Poland respectively, have issued a joint statement in which they said that the decision to proceed with the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline "has created political, military and energy threat for Ukraine and Central Europe, while increasing Russia's potential to destabilize the security situation in Europe, perpetuating divisions among NATO and European Union member states".
They added: "Ukraine and Poland will work together with their allies and partners to oppose NS2 until solutions are developed to address the security crisis created by NS2, to provide support to countries aspiring to membership in Western democratic institutions, and to reduce threats to peace and energy security."
Earlier, Kuleba tweeted: "Under art. 274 of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, Ukraine is officially initiating consultations with @EU_Commission & Germany on NS2, which threatens Ukraine’s security, violates the diversification principle of the EU Energy Union. Notes to Brussels & Berlin already sent."
Environment
One Plus One TV's TSN news service reported that an ecological inspection team was barred from entering the Rivne-based chemical company Rivneazot owned by Dmytro Firtash's Group DF where a potentially hazardous gas discharge took place on 21 July. Chief ecological inspector Andriy Malyovanyy said the company may be trying to cover up its aftermath.
According to a preliminary version voiced by new Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyy, worn-out equipment is to blame for the ecological emergency.