On October 17, Georgian– and Russian-language Facebook accounts (1; 2), as well as Russian propagandist journalist Vladimir Solovyov and the Russian-language outlet Ukraina.ru, spread information claiming that when Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plane landed in Washington, he was greeted only by the flight crew and “Ukrainians.” According to these authors, Zelenskyy “staged a show” by shaking hands with people who had flown with him to create the illusion that someone was truly there to welcome him.
The posts include a photo of a badge worn by one of the people present. The badge bears the Ukrainian flag and an inscription that is illegible.
The claim that only crew members and Ukrainians greeted Zelenskyy’s plane in Washington is disinformation. Footage shows that he was welcomed by the head of the State Department Protocol, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S., the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration, Ukraine’s military attaché in the U.S., and an American serviceman. The identities of those attending such welcoming ceremonies are determined by protocol, and other high-level guests are received in the same manner.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington on October 17. Before his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, his plane was met at Andrews Air Force Base. Footage of the arrival was shared on the Ukrainian President’s social media accounts.
The videos show several people waiting near Zelenskyy’s aircraft and greeting him. Among them is the U.S. Chief of Protocol, Monica Crowley. In the U.S., it is customary for international guests, especially presidents and prime ministers, to be met at the aircraft by the Chief of Protocol.
Alongside Crowley, Ukraine’s President was greeted at the plane by Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S., Olha Stefanishyna, and the head of the Presidential Administration, Andriy Yermak.
Zelenskyy was also greeted by Ukraine’s Military Attaché to the U.S., Borys Kremenetsky (Борис Кременецький). He is the person referred to in the Facebook posts and Russian propaganda outlets. Kremenetsky is wearing a general’s uniform with a badge displaying the Ukrainian flag and an illegible inscription. Notably, Borys Kremenetsky has previously greeted Volodymyr Zelenskyy upon his arrivals in the U.S. as well.
Source: Anton Gerashchenko / X
Footage released by the Ukrainian President also shows another person greeting Zelenskyy at the plane and shaking his hand. Although their identity cannot be determined from the footage, their uniform and insignia suggest they serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, specifically in the Air Force.
In the U.S., high-level international guests are usually greeted by several people at Andrews Air Force Base. According to protocol (p. 190), the ceremony involves a red carpet and an honor guard while the national anthems of both countries are played. Guests are greeted by the U.S. Chief of Protocol, a State Department officer, the guest country’s ambassador to the U.S., the U.S. ambassador to the guest country, and members of the diplomatic corps. In Zelenskyy’s case, the footage shows that he was indeed received with a military honor guard.
It is worth noting that Zelenskyy’s arrival in the U.S. was no different from other high-level visits. For example, on April 17, when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived to meet Donald Trump, she was greeted at her aircraft by the U.S. Chief of Protocol, Italy’s Ambassador to the U.S., and several military officers. Therefore, the claim that only Ukrainians, the flight crew, or passengers who traveled with him met Zelenskyy in America is false. Ukraine’s President was received according to official protocol, as are most visiting presidents and prime ministers.
On October 17, Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the United States and met with Donald Trump. The Ukrainian side’s goal was to secure Trump’s approval and obtain Tomahawk missiles, but the agreement was not reached. According to POLITICO’s sources, the U.S. side reverted to its position that Ukraine should cede some territories and end the war “on the current line.”
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