According to diplomats, the pride of senior officials in the European Union was hurt by the decision of the Ukrainian president. Zelensky’s visit to Brussels may also not take place due to leaks of information about the upcoming trip.
Senior officials in the European Union may have been angry that President Volodymyr Zelensky went to the UK in the first place, rather than Belgium, where the EU’s political headquarters is located. On Wednesday, 8 February, BBC Brussels correspondent Jessica Parker writes, citing diplomats whose names are unknown.
As the journalist clarified, Zelenskiy’s upcoming visit to Brussels was overshadowed by several factors at once.
So, a few days ago, the media leaked information about the trip of the Ukrainian leader to the so-called capital of the European Union to attend the Ukraine-EU summit. As he reported Focus On February 7, the leak caused a scandal in the EU. Also, planned visits to London and Paris were kept secret.
Parker writes that, aside from the obvious annoyance that “such an important secret has leaked through the European Union,” a leak could lead to a trip being canceled due to safety concerns.
Also, according to unnamed diplomats, Brussels was disturbed by Zelensky’s decision to come to England first and not Belgium. In addition, the newspaper states that Kiev is making efforts to become a member of the European Union by 2026.
One of the diplomats interviewed said, “I do not understand the strategic choice made. If you really believe that the EU is your country’s destiny, you will definitely come here first to show this importance.”
As the journalist noted, in the context of the war against Ukraine, this fact can be dismissed as “minor and insignificant”, but in London this course of events clearly delighted.
Zelensky’s visit to England
Recall that on Wednesday, February 8, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky visited England for the first time since the beginning of the large-scale invasion of the Russian Federation.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak personally welcomed the Ukrainian President’s plane to London. At the airport, he was accompanied by Defense Minister Ben Wallace, Ukrainian Ambassador Vadim Prystaiko and British Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons.
As part of the next meeting, the head of the British government promised Zelensky to secure a military defeat for Vladimir Putin.
Then the President of Ukraine spoke in the British Parliament. Zelensky brought to London a gift for speaker Lindsey Hoyle – a Ukrainian pilot’s helmet with the words “We have freedom, give us wings to protect it”.
Ukrainian leader, King of Great Britain III, at Buckingham Palace. He also met with Charles.
Source: Focus
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