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MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
SUBJECT: (U//FOUO) Telephone Conversation with President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine
PARTICIPANT: President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine
Interpreter: Provided by the Department of State
Notetakers: The White House Situation Room
DATE, TIME
AND PLACE: April 21, 2019, 4:29 – 4:45 p.m. EDT
Air Force One
(U) The President: I’d like to congratulate you on a job well done, and congratulations on a fantastic election.
(U) President-elect Zelenskyy: Good to hear from you. Thank you so very much. It’s very nice to hear from you, and I appreciate the congratulations.
(U) The President: That was an incredible election.
(U) President-elect Zelenskyy: Again, thank you so very much. As you can see, we tried very hard to do our best. We had you as a great example.
(U) The President: I think you will do a great job. I have many friends in Ukraine who know you and like you. I have many friends from Ukraine and they think - frankly - expected you to win. And it’s really an amazing thing that you’ve done.
CAUTION: A Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation (TELCON) is not a verbatim transcript of a discussion. The text in this document records the notes and recollections of Situation Room Duty Officers and NSC policy staff assigned to listen and memorialize the conversation in written form as the conversation takes place. A number of factors can affect the accuracy of the record, including poor telecommunications connections and variations in accent and/or interpretation. The word “inaudible” is used to indicate portions of a conversation that the notetaker was unable to hear.
An interpreter facilitated this conversation. Differences in interpretation may result in subtle differences in the exact meaning of phrases.
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I guess, in a way, I did something similar. We’re making tremendous progress in the U.S. [United States] - we have the most tremendous economy ever. I just wanted to congratulate you. I have no doubt you will be a fantastic president.
(U) President-elect Zelenskyy: First of all, thank you so very much, again, for the congratulations. We in Ukraine are an independent country, and independent Ukraine - we’re going to do everything for the people. You are, as I said, a great example. We are hoping we can expand on our job as you did. You will always, also, be a great example for many. You are a great example for our new managers. I’d also like to invite you, if it’s possible, to the inauguration. I know how busy you are, but if it’s possible for you to come to the inauguration ceremony, that would be a great, great thing for you to do to be with us on that day.
(U) The President: Well, that’s very nice. I’ll look into that, and well - give us the date and, at a very minimum, we’ll have a great representative. Or more than one from the United States will be with you on that great day. So, we will have somebody, at a minimum, at a very, very high level, and they will be with you. Really, an incredible day for an incredible achievement.
(U) President-elect Zelenskyy: Again, thank you, and we’re looking forward to your visit or to the visit of a high-level delegation. But there’s no word that can describe our wonderful country. How nice, warm, and friendly our people are, how tasty and delicious our food is, and how wonderful Ukraine is. Words cannot describe our country, so it would be best for you to see it yourself. So, if you can come, that would be great. So, again, I invite you to come.
(U) The President: Well, I agree with you about your country, and I look forward to it. When I owned Miss Universe, they always had great people. Ukraine was always very well represented. When you’re settled in and ready, I’d like to invite you to the White House. We’ll have a lot of things to talk about, but we’re with you all the way.
(U) President-elect Zelenskyy: Well, thank you for the invitation. We accept the invitation and look forward to the visit. Thank you again. The whole team and I are looking forward to that visit. Thank you, again, for the congratulations. And I think that it will still be great if you could come and be with us on this very important day of our inauguration. The results are incredible - they’re very
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impressive for us. So, it will be absolutely fantastic if you could come and be with us on that day.
(U) The President: Very good. We'll let you know very soon, and we will see you, very soon, regardless. Congratulations - and, please, say hello to the Ukrainian people and your family. Let them know that I send my best regards from our country.
(U) President-elect Zelenskyy: Well, thank you, again. You have a safe flight and see you soon.
(U) The President: Take care of yourself and give a great speech today. You take care of yourself, and I'll see you soon.
(U) President-elect Zelenskyy: Thank you very much. It is difficult for me, but I will practice English and we'll meet in English. Thank you very much.
(U) The President: [Laughter] All that's beautiful to hear! That's really good. I could not do that in your language. I'm very impressed. Thank you very much.
(U) President-elect Zelenskyy: Thank you very much. I'll see you very soon.
(U) The President: Great day. Good luck.
(U) President-elect Zelenskyy: Goodbye.
-- End of Conversation --
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