"I can't give you that information.
This was the phrase heard most often this Wednesday, both on the French and Ukrainian sides, in response to questions about the visit to Paris, hastily organized and kept secret until the last moment, by President Zelensky.
For security reasons.
The man whom Russian forces, if necessary supported by Wagner's special groups, have tried to physically eliminate on several occasions is in danger, both at home and abroad and during his travels.
🇺🇦🇨🇵🇩🇪 ALERT - Volodymyr #Zelensky's plane has just landed in #Paris.
(Live) pic.twitter.com/GC9odwVbZv
— Hugo & Quentin |
Daily info (@InfoHugoQuentin) February 8, 2023
In Paris, its security was thus “in the hands of our French partners”, agreed to tell us the Ukrainian embassy, ​​the secret services of the two countries collaborating.
It was an RAF plane, the British Air Force, which had previously taken him to London.
In Orly, it was still aboard a British government Airbus that he arrived late in the evening, welcomed by the Minister for the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu… just to set the tone for the Elysian dinner.
Even if the risk of an attack on British, French or Belgian territory (Thursday in Brussels) is "fairly low" according to a specialist, we must take into account the proven know-how of Russian spies, who have to their credit - or liabilities – the poisoning of several ex-agents or opponents abroad, such as Sergei Skripal in England.
Radio silence also on the place of accommodation of the president in permanent battle-dress: the name of a large Parisian hotel, accustomed to “sensitive” guests and sufficiently easy to secure, was mentioned, but without official confirmation.
Read alsoUkraine: in London, Zelensky walks in the footsteps of Churchill
Similarly, MEP Nathalie Loiseau said she was unable to confirm on Wednesday evening whether Volodymyr Zelensky will speak in the European Parliament, as he did in the presence of the American Congress and Westminster on Thursday.
He has a "permanently open invitation" and is eagerly awaited on this day of the Twenty-Seven summit, but the jamming of his agenda in the Belgian capital was maintained for as long as possible.
