Biden to discuss arms supplies with Zelensky on Thurs – media

KYIV. Aug 25 (Interfax-Ukraine) – On Thursday, August 25, U.S. President Joseph Biden will have a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, CNN said, citing U.S. National Security Council public relations coordinator John Kirby.

"The President’s looking forward to that," Kirby said, while saying there were no travel plans to discuss for Biden to visit Kyiv. He said if a "trip makes sense," it would come under consideration.

Kirby also said the United States will continue to "rally the free world" and "galvanize allies and partners" to support Ukraine as the Russian invasion hits the six-month mark.

Kirby pointed out that the United States has information showing Russia is preparing to hold "sham referenda" in regions of Ukraine, potentially within days. The potential regions where a referenda could occur include Kherson and Zaporizhia, along with Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

"The United States and the international community have been very clear that any attempts at controlling Ukraine sovereign territory will not be considered legitimate," Kirby said.

He elaborated that the United States expects Russia to manipulate the results of the votes and falsely claim the Ukrainian people want to join Russia.

"It will be critical to call out and counter this disinformation in real time," he said.

Kirby said information from the United States shows Russian officials are concerned there would be low voter turnout in the upcoming votes.