Went to inspect the Eastern Front... Zelensky's trip to the US like an espionage movie

Surprise US Trip from Eastern Front Bakhmut
"Going to the US" Tweet Followed by Polish US Military Plane Takeoff

U.S. President Joe Biden (right) welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington, D.C., on the 21st (local time). Washington, D.C. = Photo by EPA and Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's surprise trip to the United States has become a global sensation. This is the first time since the Ukraine war that President Zelensky, who had only appeared via video at major international meetings, has visited overseas in person. It was recorded as his first overseas visit in 300 days since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24 this year.

His secret trip to the U.S. during wartime, amid ongoing Russian airstrikes, was broadcast like a scene from a spy movie, and it is expected to strengthen public support for Ukraine. In response, Russia warned that additional U.S. arms support would only worsen the situation.

Spy Operation for U.S. Trip Started on the 18th

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to the Associated Press (AP) on the 21st (local time), President Zelensky's visit to the U.S. was formally discussed during a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden on the 11th, and the operation for his trip reportedly began on the 18th.

While the exact route he took to the U.S. has not been disclosed, Polish media outlet TVN reported on the 21st that President Zelensky arrived by train at Przemy?l, a border area between Poland and Ukraine. The exact time of his arrival in Przemy?l has not been revealed.

President Zelensky had announced the day before that he would visit Bakhmut, the eastern frontline area, and photos of him consoling soldiers were released afterward. It is unclear whether he traveled to Poland immediately after using vehicles and trains or if the Bakhmut visit took place earlier. There is speculation that the frontline visit was a ruse to evade Russian spies.

After arriving at the border train station in Poland, President Zelensky boarded a white vehicle in a convoy preparing to depart, and then took a flight from Rzesz?w Airport in Poland to Washington, D.C., according to TVN.

"Going to the U.S." Tweeted One Hour Before U.S. Military Plane Took Off from Poland

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on his Twitter account on the 21st (local time), saying "On the way to the United States." [Image source=Twitter]

The C-40B model, a U.S. military aircraft
[Image source: U.S. Air Force]

According to The New York Times (NYT), President Zelensky posted on his Twitter account "On the way to the U.S." 13 hours before his scheduled arrival in Washington. One hour later, a U.S. military Boeing C-40B aircraft departed from Rzesz?w Airport in Poland. The aircraft bore the code name 'SAM910,' which stands for 'Special Air Mission.'

The aircraft flew nonstop for 13 hours and landed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, U.S. This plane is a modified Boeing 737 with an operational range of 9,260 km, nearly twice that of a standard Boeing 737. It flew approximately 8,000 km from Poland to the U.S. without mid-air refueling.

This aircraft model has often been used for secret visits by important figures. Previously, a similar C-40C military plane was used when U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August.

Russia: "No Possibility of Negotiations... Situation Will Worsen"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Russian government warned that the situation would only deteriorate following President Zelensky's visit to the U.S. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing, "Additional U.S. arms supplies to Ukraine will worsen the situation," and added, "We do not expect Ukraine's negative stance on peace negotiations to change. There will be no possibility of negotiations."

Russian President Vladimir Putin also hinted at the possibility of nuclear threats during a defense ministry meeting on the same day. President Putin warned, "The next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Sarmat' will be deployed soon," and "The hypersonic missile 'Zircon' will also be deployed as early as January next year."

Meanwhile, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and a close aide to President Putin, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on the same day and delivered a letter from President Putin. The meeting was seen as emphasizing peace talks while showcasing the friendship between the two countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.