Ukraine’s Zelenskyy improvises midflight to get out his message on a whirlwind European trip

Ukrainian President Communicates with Media via WhatsApp During Diplomatic Tour

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy broke from tradition during his recent 36-hour European diplomatic tour, opting to answer reporters’ questions via WhatsApp audio messages instead of holding formal press conferences.

Flying between London and Brussels, Zelenskyy’s hoarse voice could be heard over the drone of the aircraft as he responded to inquiries from Ukrainian and international journalists – a communication method virtually unprecedented among world leaders.

Despite his evident fatigue, Zelenskyy’s message remained resolute: Ukraine cannot surrender territory to Russia. “Undoubtedly, Russia insists for us to give up territories,” he said in one audio message. “According to the law, we don’t have such a right… and to be frank, we don’t have a moral right either.”

The impromptu messaging session came during a whirlwind diplomatic mission across Europe, where Zelenskyy met with the leaders of Britain, Germany, and France in London before traveling to Brussels for discussions with NATO and European Union officials. His tour concluded in Rome, where he held talks with the Italian prime minister and Pope Leo XIV.

At the heart of these discussions is the contentious question of whether Ukraine should consider ceding Russian-occupied territories in exchange for security guarantees. These negotiations have grown increasingly complex amid concerns about the incoming Trump administration’s commitment to European security, creating urgency for Zelenskyy to secure firm commitments from European allies.

This innovative approach to media engagement reflects Zelenskyy’s broader communication strategy since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. When Kyiv was under siege in the war’s earliest days, the Ukrainian leader famously recorded a simple cellphone video with three top officials, declaring: “We are all here. Our soldiers are here, the citizens of our country are all here protecting our independence, and we are going to continue to do so.”

Since then, Zelenskyy has maintained an exhaustive communication schedule, delivering video messages, addressing Western parliaments remotely, posting late-night updates, and making high-security public appearances. The strategy has been crucial for maintaining Ukraine’s international visibility as the conflict has stretched into its second year.

This direct communication approach has helped Ukraine maintain Western attention despite competing global crises and shifting political landscapes. For Zelenskyy, whose pre-political career included work as an actor and comedian, effective communication has proven to be one of his most valuable diplomatic tools.

The WhatsApp exchange concluded as his plane touched down in Brussels, with Zelenskyy asking reporters: “How did you like this format? If it works for you, then when we have the opportunity, we’ll share our thoughts and decisions this way again.”

The president didn’t wait long to follow through. By Tuesday evening, Zelenskyy had sent additional audio messages updating journalists on progress in discussions with Western allies regarding potential peace negotiations.

The stakes for these diplomatic efforts remain extraordinarily high. As Russia continues to occupy significant portions of eastern and southern Ukraine, Zelenskyy faces the dual challenge of maintaining military resistance while pursuing diplomatic paths that don’t compromise Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

European leaders have publicly reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, but questions remain about the sustainability of Western military aid and the potential for a negotiated settlement that both sides could accept. As winter approaches, with Russia targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Zelenskyy’s diplomatic outreach takes on additional urgency.

Through it all, the Ukrainian president’s willingness to communicate through whatever means available – even from the cabin of a diplomatic flight – demonstrates the priority he places on maintaining direct lines of communication with both the public and the press during this critical period of the conflict.