Participated in EU Special Summit
Russian media ridiculed “beggars on the streets of London”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who visited London, England on the 8th, went to Paris, France on the same day and had a surprise meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. On the 9th, he decided to attend the Special European Union (EU) Summit to be held in Brussels, Belgium. All of them are ‘surprise schedules’ that were not disclosed in advance. Visiting Western Europe for the first time since the invasion of Russia in February last year, he is busily moving to receive support from major European countries, including fighter jets, which are considered the ‘last weapon’ following tanks.
After arriving in London in combat uniform, President Zelensky met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and urged arms support in a speech to Parliament. He presented House Speaker Lindsay Hoyle with a helmet worn by Ukraine’s top pilot. On this helmet the words “We have freedom. I also wrote the phrase, “Please give me wings to protect it.”
Prime Minister Sunak said at a joint press conference that “nothing about military aid to Ukraine was excluded from the discussion” and that “fighters were also part of the conversation.”
President Zelensky traveled to Paris in the late afternoon after a busy schedule, such as meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. Having a three-way meeting with President Macron and Prime Minister Scholz at the Elysee Palace in Paris, he repeatedly urged support, saying, “The sooner our pilots get planes, the sooner the war will end and Europe will be peaceful.”
In response, President Macron responded by saying, “I am ready to stand with Ukraine until Ukraine wins.” Prime Minister Scholz also added, “We will continue the financial, humanitarian and arms support that has been in place since the invasion began, as needed.” However, the British BBC and others analyzed that the two leaders did not give a definite answer about fighter support.
Russia’s Sputnik news agency mocked Zelensky as “a beggar on the streets of London.” He claimed he was touring the West to support his regime. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also added 77 U.S. political and related figures to the list of sanctions that it deemed involved in arms support to Ukraine. Politicians such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former U.S. Army generals were included.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.