It is known that the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States took place under close surveillance, reminiscent of a spy film.
According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 22nd (local time), President Zelensky’s surprise visit to the United States took place under extreme security and under close cover.
According to reports, US military pilots who arrived in Rzeszow, a neighboring country in southeastern Poland on the 20th, only realized they were entrusted with an important mission when they saw President Zelensky approaching them. from afar. They were said to have been told in advance that only the US ambassador to Ukraine and a few senior Ukrainian officials would bring them.
Local job-level officials in Kiiw, including U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, did not use telecommunications and conducted most discussions through face-to-face contact due to wiretap concerns.
The news was shared with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other key members of Congress just three days before President Zelensky’s arrival in the United States.
President Pelosi also kept silent until shortly before and some parliamentarians, belatedly hearing the news that they were going to give a joint speech to the United States Congress after the summit at the White House, went on vacation before the Christmas holidays and hastily returned to Washington, CC.
As for why Zelensky’s visit to the US was being treated top secret, the WP analyzed that it was “because of the unique risk of the departure of a wartime leader whose life is threatened every day “.
The leaders of both Ukraine and the United States have long sought face-to-face contact. Then, on the 14th, the White House sent an official invitation to President Zelensky, and on the 16th, President Zelensky accepted it. It was on the 18th that the plan to visit the United States was finalized.
President Zelensky met President Biden at the White House and was promised unwavering support. Through this visit to the United States, Ukraine has received more than two military aids from the United States.
Reporter Kim Soo-young Hankyung.com swimmingk@hankyung.com
