At a meeting with representatives from Fox News and The Sun, President Volodymyr Zelensky extended heartfelt gratitude to the world’s media for their pivotal role in garnering international support for Ukraine during these challenging times.
The encounter included discussions with Fox Corporation’s Chief Executive, Lachlan Murdoch.
The gathering, which took place in Zelensky’s Kyiv office, hosted Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall and The Sun journalist Jerome Starkey. The president took a moment to express his appreciation for the comprehensive coverage of the war provided by these media outlets.
Despite the personal risks involved, the journalists have been instrumental in shedding light on the “Russian atrocities” unfolding in Ukraine, as highlighted in a statement on the president’s official website.
During the meeting, President Zelensky revealed a chilling reality – surviving at least five assassination attempts orchestrated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Drawing a parallel, he likened his reaction to these attempts to the experience of grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on the initial attempt, he shared, “The first one is very interesting, like the first time facing COVID.
First of all, people don’t know what to do with it, and it’s looking very scary. And then, it’s just intelligence sharing that one more group came to Ukraine to attempt this.”
However, the exact number of plots he has thwarted remains undisclosed, adding an air of mystery to the president’s resilience in the face of danger.Sun, in its post-meeting report, disclosed Zelensky’s accusation that the Kremlin aided Hamas in launching attacks in Israel in October. Additionally, he voiced concerns that the Ukraine-Russia conflict could potentially escalate into a third world war.
Stressing the urgent need for more Western aid and weapons, Zelensky underscored the critical support required to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Acknowledging the global media’s significant role, President Zelensky expressed gratitude to reporters worldwide who have tirelessly covered the war. He recognized the immense sacrifices made by journalists, cameramen, editors, photographers, and drivers who have been on the frontline, noting that in this hybrid war, information serves as a powerful weapon in the hands of Russia.
Zelensky empathized with the families and friends of brave individuals who lost their lives in an effort to showcase the reality of the situation in Ukraine. Despite the challenges and the tendency for the world’s attention to waver amidst other events, he emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on the ongoing conflict.
“For some reason, people treat it like a movie and expect that there will be no long pauses in the events, that the picture before their eyes will always change. That there will be some surprises every day. But for us, for our warriors, this is not a movie.
These are our lives. This is daily hard work,” Zelensky remarked passionately. “And it will not be over as quickly as we would like, but we have no right to give up, and we will not.”
In a poignant moment, Zelensky awarded Benjamin Hall with the Order of Merit, third class, in recognition of his courage. Hall had been caught in a shelling attack while reporting on the war in March 2022, suffering burns, losing half a leg and his feet, and sustaining damage to one eye.
The meeting also highlighted the appointment of Lachlan Murdoch, the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, as the chairman of both Fox and News Corp in September, adding another layer of significance to this critical juncture in global media and geopolitical dynamics.
Crediblenews.ng