Olena Zelenska and top Ukrainian officials briefly land in Jaipur for refuelling, bypass immigration amid pre-approved diplomatic protocols.
Ukrainian Delegation Makes Jaipur Stopover During Japan Trip
A high-profile Ukrainian government delegation, including First Lady Olena Zelenska and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, made an unscheduled but pre-approved technical stop at Jaipur International Airport early Sunday morning. The aircraft, en route to Tokyo, Japan, landed for refuelling at around 6:30 AM.
Protocol-Backed Landing with VIP Treatment
The stopover was facilitated under special protocol instructions issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on August 1. The directive allowed the delegation to bypass security frisking and immigration checks.
“Necessary courtesies and facilities may also be provided,” the directive stated, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic courtesy.
Who Was on Board?
The 23-member Ukrainian delegation included:
- Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine
- Andrii Sybiha, Deputy Head of the Office of the President
- Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s UN Representative
- Oleksii Sobolev, Minister for Economic Affairs
They were received by officials from the Ukrainian Embassy in Delhi, who arranged refreshments and seating in the VIP lounge during the refuelling process.
Smooth Departure
The flight resumed its journey to Tokyo at approximately 8:15 AM, without any formal immigration procedures, as per diplomatic exemption.
Why Japan?
The Ukrainian delegation’s visit to Japan is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, urging stronger sanctions against Russia, and seeking economic aid for post-war reconstruction efforts.
India-Ukraine Relations: A Longstanding Bond
- India was among the first nations to recognize Ukraine’s independence in 1991.
- Diplomatic relations were formally established in January 1992.
- The two countries maintain collaboration across sectors like trade, education, and technology.
Key Takeaways:
- Olena Zelenska’s plane landed in Jaipur for a technical refuelling halt.
- No immigration clearance required due to pre-cleared diplomatic status.
- Delegation included senior Ukrainian officials headed to Japan for critical talks.
