The next summit of the European Union will be held in Brussels on February 9-10. It is already known that the main topic will be the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the sanctions package in relation to the Russian Federation. Ukrainian politicians are deciding an important question: whether President Zelenskyy will be present at the summit.
The leaders of 27 European countries will be physically present at the event, and several more have agreed to participate online.
Zelenskyy almost does not travel
Since February 24, 2022, the President of Ukraine has joined every summit online, but this time there is hope that he will be able to visit it in person.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been on the territory of Ukraine almost all the time. Only once, he made an official visit to another country. It was in December 2022. As a result, a number of important decisions were made on military aid to Ukraine. Moreover, the loud statements of politicians show the Kremlin that the world community is on the side of the Ukrainians. On the way back from the USA, Zelenskyy had meetings with the leadership of Poland.
Real presence VS online communication
What is the most effective and profitable format for a meeting of politicians? Experts say that physical presence is much more important for the following reasons:
- Speeches and theses made directly in the hall are perceived more deeply. They are better remembered and become a reason for a greater response among those present.
- The informal communication of the leaders is also essential. It takes place in a free format after the official parts. It is here that personal relationships are built, and further steps and plans are discussed.
- Often, the presence of the state heads becomes the beginning of more productive cooperation and a new stage in the countries’ diplomatic work.
So why then sit at home?
So why doesn’t the President of Ukraine attend such events every time? Once this problem was solved by holding the EU-Ukraine summit directly in Kyiv. However, organizing such an event is very difficult. Not every country will agree to send its representative to a state, which is in a state of war. To make it happen, it is necessary to provide security guarantees, but it is extremely difficult to do this because of the systematic bombing of various regions.
The very issue of security is key to the possibility of the President of Ukraine participating in the EU summit. The most vulnerable moments are the movement of a high-ranking official and his transportation.
The Russian side plans attempts on Zelenskyy constantly and carefully. Now, the life of the President is one of the key moments for Ukraine. That is why the risks of going abroad outweigh the possible advantages. Both the intelligence agencies of Ukraine and the country, which is the platform for the summit, should be working to ensure the required level of security. Today, Brussels expresses readiness to provide security guarantees to Zelenskyy, however, it indicates that the situation can change at any minute.
Nevertheless, the President of Ukraine arrived in London. To make this happen, a British military aircraft was involved. It allowed the intelligence agencies of both sides to be effective.
Zelensky and Macron go to Brussels summit together.
According to a press release from the Elysée Palace, they left Paris at 8:30 local time from the Villacouble airbase. They are due to arrive in Brussels at 10:00 Paris time.
