KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelensky’s determination to embark on a flurry of abroad journeys amid remaining preparations for a Ukrainian counteroffensive was met with assist from some residents of the capital, Kyiv, on Friday, simply hours after it got here below assault for the tenth time this month.
The president’s current journey — he visited 4 European capitals over the weekend and Saudi Arabia on Friday, and can attend a Group of seven assembly Japan this weekend — stood in distinction to a lot of the primary yr of the battle, when Mr. Zelensky’s alternative to remain in Ukraine turned a logo of defiance and solidarity.
Now, residents interviewed on the streets of Kyiv stated that they had been heartened by the nice and cozy reception Mr. Zelensky had been receiving overseas at a time when continued assist from allies was vital.
“I feel that it’s wonderful, as a result of he builds bridges between all international locations,” stated Neonila, a 76-year-old retired sanitation employee, who like many interviewed for this text requested that solely her first identify be used due to fears of reprisal.
At every cease on his diplomatic tour, Mr. Zelensky has labored to shore up assist and ask for extra weapons for the combat towards Russia’s aggression. His whirlwind journey to Germany, France and Britain final weekend reaped billions of {dollars} in new army help.
“His each go to is ending positively,” Neonila stated as she purchased greens at a stall within the metropolis middle. “We’re given one thing.”
Whereas few folks interviewed in Kyiv appeared against the journey, some questioned Mr. Zelensky’s motives.
The journeys are good for the president’s “scores,” stated Liudmyla, 75, as she sat on a Kyiv park bench within the solar with a good friend.
“He’s constructing a picture for himself, for the longer term elections,” she stated.
Kateryna Papusha, who was sitting subsequent to her child daughter’s stroller within the park, stated she backed the journey as a result of some overseas leaders had been unable or afraid to go to Ukraine.
“I’m supportive of his visits overseas, as a result of each go to is kind of productive,” she stated. “There are some agreements, some assist, some assist for Ukraine.”
Being near somebody concerned within the preventing has made her pay particular consideration to the bulletins of latest weapons pledges, Ms. Papusha added.
Most Ukrainian males have been barred from leaving the nation for the reason that battle started, and the toll of almost 15 months of preventing has been felt throughout the nation. Volodymyr Pylypenko, 45, who was wounded preventing in jap Ukraine, stated Friday that he didn’t carefully observe Mr. Zelensky’s actions.
“I’m extra involved concerning the state of affairs on our entrance,” he stated, smoking a cigarette as he stood exterior a hospital.
However that doesn’t imply he thinks a wartime president ought to keep put, he stated. Since a basic is commanding the armed forces, he stated, Mr. Zelensky can deal with the overseas politics.
“If he does one thing good for Ukraine, it’s solely a plus,” Mr. Pylypenko stated.
Valentyna Horbachiova, 65, expressed a way of urgency, saying the abroad journey was “very wanted proper now” — particularly given the current assaults on Kyiv.
“If he will likely be touring extra and speaking to folks excessive up, possibly peace will likely be established right here, possibly we will likely be supported,” she stated whereas ready to choose up her grandchildren from college.
For Mr. Zelensky to remain within the capital out of solidarity would do nothing, stated Ms. Horbachiova, who described “terrible” assaults she had witnessed from her 18th ground condominium.
“What would change if he sits right here? We wouldn’t be shelled?” she requested. “We might be shelled simply as a lot — possibly much more in the event that they knew that he was right here.”
