Natalia Goncharova said she knew Zelensky from her days working in video production in Ukraine, and had watched his rise and transformation from TV star to politician to war hero.
“I would really like to hug you, but I’m really not allowed,” she said, as she stood to ask her question on behalf of BBC Ukraine. Reporters were assembled for a press conference on Zelensky and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s visit to view Ukrainian troops being trained to command the Challenger tanks Britain is sending to the war effort.
Zelensky, the master of modern media, obliged. He left his lectern and strolled to the media pack, met her in the middle of the two bays of chairs where his entourage, journalists and numerous members of the military sat listening to his every word through the translation pack.“It was amazing,” Goncharova toldShe said she knew Zelensky from her days working in video production in Ukraine and had watched his rise and transformation from television star, to politician, to war hero.
Goncharova has been working for the BBC for a week. She came with her child as part of the Ukrainian sponsorship program that lets women and children live in the UK.She said she voted for Zelensky when he ran for president and has not been surprised by his transformation into the globe’s rock star politician.
“I saw how the previous president was running the country, we would die. If it wouldn’t be for him, the whole country would have collapsed,” she said.“He cares about everything, he cares about people.She said Zelensky’s empathy was why his critics had initially dismissed the comedian and actor as too weak to be a leader.“He’s not a politician, but eventually he turned out to be the strongest person in the world,” she said.“I was dreaming to work there,” she said.
Her daring request appeared to have sparked a trend. The next Ukrainian journalist to ask a question said she would seek out the president after the news conference “because I would like a hug as well”.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'We've all been worried': King welcomes Zelensky in surprise UK visitIn a surprise trip to the UK, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Parliament before heading down to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles III who revealed 'we've all been worried about you' following nearly a year of Russia's invasion.
Read more »
‘Wings for freedom’: Zelensky tours European cities urging air supportUkraine’s president visits London, Paris and Brussels - only his second trip abroad since the war began - before an expected Russian offensive in coming weeks.
Read more »
Ukraine’s Zelensky makes surprise visit to UK, will meet King Charles IIIZelensky, who was embraced by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on arrival, will visit Downing Street before meeting the King at Buckingham Palace.
Read more »
From She Said to Devotion: this season’s ignored Oscarbait moviesWhile Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Banshees of Inisherin lead, the season saw other films with all the requisite ingredients fail to score
Read more »
'We've all been worried': King welcomes Zelensky in surprise UK visitIn a surprise trip to the UK, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Parliament before heading down to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles III who revealed 'we've all been worried about you' following nearly a year of Russia's invasion.
Read more »
How Volodymyr Zelenskiy spent his day in BritainThe Ukrainian president made a surprise visit to the UK: here’s what he did
Read more »