why Volodymyr Zelensky traveled on an official French plane

by time news

2023-05-20 20:53:55

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disembarking on his arrival at Hiroshima airport from a French plane, May 20, 2023. HANDOUT / AFP

For Emmanuel Macron, the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 is a “unique opportunity” for Ukraine, which could “change the game” with certain southern countries such as Brazil or India.

It is an image that is surprising. On Saturday May 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Japan to take part in the G7 – a summit to which he was invited – aboard a French presidential plane. This same plane had already served him just before to go to the Arab League summit.

On his Twitter account, French President Emmanuel Macron proudly confirmed the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky in “an airplane in the colors of the French Republicin the direction of Hiroshima (Japan), where the G7 summit is being held. “The Ukrainian delegation [est] came to the G7 to work with us and our partners“, specified the Head of State. But why did the Ukrainian president travel on an official French plane?

A Ukrainian request

According to the Élysée contacted by Le Figaro, this request comes directly from the Ukrainian presidency. It was made Thursday, May 18. “We said yes», explains the Elysée. The Air Force Airbus A330 therefore flew to pick up Volodymyr Zelensky at the Polish border and take him first to Saudi Arabia, where he spoke on Friday before the Arab League summit. Then from there to Japan and the G7. Still according to the Élysée, France accepted Kiev’s request because Emmanuel Macron is the leader who has known Volodymyr Zelensky for the longest time, among all the heads of state and government present in Hiroshima. “Emmanuel Macron received President Zelensky at the Élysée even before he was elected, indicates this same source to Figaro. There is therefore a relationship of trustbetween the two men.

At the end of the summit, the Ukrainian president will also leave on board an official French plane, without the return flight plan having been revealed for the time being. When Volodymyr Zelensky visited Paris last week, the idea of ​​him coming to the summit of his main allies was already “in conversation“, notes an adviser to Emmanuel Macron. But there was no question of logistics yet.

Beyond this material question, Volodymyr Zelensky’s two speeches to Arab countries, some of which he accuses of “close eyesin the face of the conflict and with Brazil and India present at the G7, “are a unique opportunityfor Ukraine, according to Emmanuel Macron. “I think it could be a game changer“, he hammers. This is therefore a diplomatic interest. There is also an obvious security aspect: attacking a French plane, a nuclear power, would be particularly inappropriate.

Already in mid-May, during the visit of the Ukrainian president to Paris, Volodymyr Zelensky had traveled from Germany on board a French plane.

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