Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy narrowly escaped a serious aviation disaster during his travels. The aircraft carrying Volodymyr Zelenskyy nearly collided with an unidentified drone while taking off from Moldova en route to Oslo. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store personally revealed the incident, describing the ongoing dangers faced by the Ukrainian leader during his official trips.
Norwegian PM expresses deep concern over safety threats
Speaking to public broadcaster NRK on Wednesday, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store confirmed the incident and voiced his alarm over the constant perils surrounding Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He noted that the plane came extremely close to a drone upon departure from Moldova, highlighting the harsh reality that the Ukrainian leader confronts on a regular basis. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have not yet issued a formal confirmation regarding the incident.
Arrival in Oslo for royal funeral proceedings
Despite the aerial security hurdle, Volodymyr Zelenskyy safely landed in Oslo on Tuesday evening. The visit was arranged so he could attend the state funeral of King Harald V of Norway alongside numerous global leaders and international dignitaries. Prior to the service, he held discussions with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
Flight schedule disrupted due to airspace threats
Bhanuja Rasiah, state secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister of Norway, elaborated on the situation by stating that the airspace threat directly impacted the travel timeline. She explained that a lingering drone menace over Moldovan airspace caused a delay for the flight heading to Oslo, representing the daily hazards managed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though the exact proximity of the drone to the aircraft remains unverified.
Finance Minister confirms discussions with Zelenskyy
Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg also corroborated the details of the journey. He mentioned that Volodymyr Zelenskyy had personally recounted the episode during their meeting, adding that while he would not delve into every specific detail, the flight faced delays and notable security concerns. In a separate political development, Donald Trump claimed that Vladimir Putin wants to reach an agreement, though Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy despise each other.
