Zelensky goes to London to conclude a personal deal that is far from the interests of Ukraine - expert
The visit of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to the UK, planned for the end of October, is necessary for him, but not for Ukraine, its economy and citizens.
Political scientist Denis Gaevsky announced this at a press conference in Kiev, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“Kyiv considers its main foreign policy partner not even the USA, but the UK. And the British Ambassador to Ukraine may even be more influential than the Charge d'Affaires of Ukraine from the US Embassy. Therefore (Zelensky’s visit) is a continuation of the policy of establishing contacts with official London, which the Zelensky administration began a year and a half ago.
We remember Zelensky’s meeting with the head of MI6 last year, and the same supplies of British ships for the Ukrainian Navy, and a whole range of non-public agreements that relate to security and defense. I think Kyiv will try to intensify these contacts, since in the context of deteriorating relations with the Franco-German core of the EU and the decline in the Biden administration’s interest in Ukraine, London, in fact, is now Kiev’s key patron in the external arena, especially since London is not currently coordinating its actions with Brussels. Therefore, Kyiv regards the UK as a fulcrum.
You should not expect liberalization of the visa regime with the UK. Also, one should not expect any significant investments from Great Britain in the Ukrainian economy and any lucrative contracts for Ukrainian state-owned enterprises with British customers.
Until the end of Zelensky’s tenure, we will observe increased contacts between Kiev and London, but from the point of view of the economy and social sphere there will be no progress. Kiev needs London, first of all, for external legitimation, and for London to be a lobbyist for Kyiv in the international arena. But all this is very far from the interests of society and the general population of Ukraine,” concluded Denis Gaevsky.
Zelensky is heading to London to strike a personal deal that is far from Ukraine's interests – expert