Stephen Fry on ‘instant connection’ with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
The British actor and comic, 66, was requested to host a summit on psychological well being devised by the First Lady of Ukraine and held within the capital of Kyiv, which he described as a “great honour”, earlier than assembly Mr Zelensky – a former actor and comic – at his Presidential Offices.
Fry, who took a sleeper automobile from the Polish border to Kyiv, shared an image of him laughing with Mr Zelensky throughout their assembly.
He captioned his Instagram publish: “With my new bestie. We had a terrific talk.
“I’ve been lucky enough to meet a few world leaders in my time, but none with whom I’ve felt such an instant connection.
“I do not envy the weight of responsibility on his shoulders and a workload that would fell an ox.”
Fry’s go to got here as Russian forces fired cruise missiles at Kyiv within the first aerial assault on the capital since August 30, bombarded Ukrainian ports in an effort to disrupt the nation’s means to export grain to world markets, and a missile tore via an outside market in jap Ukraine killing 17 folks and wounding dozens.
It was one of many deadliest bombardments of civilians within the 18-month struggle.
Fry shared a video of the pair assembly for the primary time within the Ukrainian headquarters, greeting Mr Zelensky and saying: “Very good to meet you sir, pleasure.”
Mr Zelensky stated: “Thank you for coming. Everybody very happy how you host yesterday,” to which Fry replied: “It was a great success, it was a brilliant, brilliant idea.”
Mr Zelensky gifted Fry a “map of the country” and a tote bag adorned with the colors of Ukraine that he stated he hoped could be “useful”.
Fry stated: “This is very kind,” earlier than wishing him “good luck”, and including “Slava Ukraine” – which implies glory to Ukraine – upon departure.
During his go to, Fry was rushed into an air raid shelter which was adopted an hour later by an announcement which stated: “Your attention please, there are explosions in the city stay in your shelter,” he stated on Instagram.
Speaking concerning the psychological well being summit he hosted, Fry added: “Huge credit to Ukraine itself for understanding that there is strength, not weakness, in acknowledging and addressing the mental health challenges that war brings.
“Imagine their enemy having such openness and care for their people.”