Zelensky’s fleece auctioned to raise £90,000 for aid
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY’S jacket has sold for £90,000 at an auction for Ukraine in London.
Boris Johnson suggested the khaki fleece should go for much more than its £50,000 starting price, which he described as “a snip” as he urged people to dig deep and spend big.
The hammer came down at almost double the price at an event at Tate Modern in London, raising vital funds for humanitarian aid to Ukraine following its invasion by Russia in February.
The Ukrainian president, who is also well known for his trademark military fatigues, has been pictured touring besieged Kyiv in the fleece.
Mr Zelensky gave a speech by video link before the bidding at the Brave Ukraine fundraiser, during which he praised the UK and “brave Boris”, who has visited him in Kyiv.
The auction, which was run by Christie’s, included lots such as a cockerel jug presented to Mr Johnson during his walkabout with Mr Zelensky in the Ukrainian capital.
Also up for grabs was a guided tour of Kyiv by Vitali Klitschko, the city’s mayor and former world heavyweight boxing champion. Catering was by Ukraine’s only Michelin-starred chef. Mr Johnson said: “Whether you are bidding for Volodymyr’s fleece – a snip at £50,000 – or you are bidding for a tour of Kyiv with Mayor Klitschko (I have had a tour of Kyiv with Mayor Klitschko, it’s a beautiful city, it’s well worth it) dig deep.
‘Support Ukraine so that great ancient European capital, Kyiv, can never be threatened again’
“Support Ukraine tonight, my friends, so that great ancient European capital, Kyiv, can never be threatened again, and that Ukraine can be whole and free once more.”
Mr Johnson said it was “a disaster for Putin” but a “blessing for Ukraine and for the world” that Mr Zelensky was president and called him “truly one of the most incredible leaders of modern times”.