Secretary of Transportation to represent US at Crimean Platform summit

"The United States will delegate Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation, who is a very influential figure in the U.S. Government," Member of Crimean Platform, Ukrainian lawmaker Mustafa Dzhemilev said in an interview with Suspilne, Ukrinform reports.

He added that the visit of President Joe Biden had earlier been supposed in diplomatic circles but the White House leader would not arrive.

"I met with Kurt Volker [diplomat, U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations in 2017-2019] and he said that Biden would not arrive for a number of reasons. And, in addition, Biden has a specific relationship with Ukraine because Trump tried to use [Ukraine] in his election campaign, so he [Biden] is unlikely to arrive. Even if he really wants to, his entourage will try to discourage him," Dzhemilev added.

Earlier, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent said that the United States would be headed by members of the government at the Crimean Platform summit.

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