Foreign Minister gives details of Usyk’s release at Krakow airport
18 September 2024 07:22
VIDEO
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga has provided details of the release of WBC, WBA, WBO and IBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk at the Krakow airport. This is stated in the message of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on social networks, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
Late in the evening of 17 September, WBC, WBA, WBO and IBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk was arrested at the airport in Krakow. He was released in the morning.
After midnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Usyk had already been released.
“I spoke on the phone with Oleksandr Usyk when he was detained. I was outraged by this attitude towards our citizen and champion… I was just informed that everything is fine, our champion has been released and no one is detaining him anymore,” Zelensky wrote.
The athlete himself called the incident “a misunderstanding that was quickly resolved.” He expressed his gratitude to the public and diplomats for their support over the incident.
“Respect to Polish law enforcement officers who do their job despite their height, weight, arm span and regalia,” the athlete wrote in a story online.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga instructed the Consul General to express his protest and indignation at the treatment of the Ukrainian boxer.
“On the instructions of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, we immediately responded to the detention of Oleksandr Usyk in Krakow and facilitated his release. I was informed of the details by our Consul General. We consider such actions to be disproportionate and unacceptable towards our champion and will send a note to the Polish side,” the diplomat said.
The video released by Ukrainian diplomats shows Sibiga talking to his subordinates and Usyk:
- “You have clearly confirmed to me that you have been released and that you are going to continue unhindered.
- Thank God we are here. Everything is fine. We are waiting.
- You have to settle all the formalities on the spot so that there are no problems there,” the Minister said about the situation in Poland.
The minister coordinated the actions of Ukrainian diplomats while on the border of Ukraine and Romania, where the Foreign Minister is currently on his first foreign visit.
