Branson: Leaving Ukraine will take time to process a flurry of impressions and insights
The least peace can do for Ukraine is to provide unwavering and unconditional support until the last Russian soldier will not leave Ukrainian territory. Everything else will be a defeat for the rule of law and the sovereignty of nations. The founder of Virgin Galactic, billionaire Richard Branson, who visited Kyiv the day before, wrote about this in his column. – Every day Ukrainians fight and die for the whole free world. The least the rest of the world can do is to lend our unwavering and unconditional support until the last Russian soldier leaves Ukrainian territory. Anything else would be a defeat – not only a defeat for Ukraine's right to freely choose its own destiny, but also for the rule of law and the sovereignty of nations,” Branson wrote. He said that the main purpose of the trip to Kyiv was to meet with Ukrainians in order to “understand their fears and concerns.” Also, the billionaire’s plans included “learning what business, in partnership with civil society and governments, can do to effectively support Ukraine.” “Going to a country that is at war is a humiliating and emotional experience. I remember Kyiv very well from previous visits in 2014 and 2015. It is a beautiful capital with a stunning historical cityscape built on the banks of the majestic Dnieper. But the scars of war are unavoidable in this big city, especially in the burnt shells of residential buildings hit by unselected airstrikes and rocket attacks on Russia, Branson wrote. He said that he visited the city of the last strike on Kyiv and saw the destroyed Russian missile kindergarten. “Looking at the ruins of a burned-out kindergarten, far from any strategically significant objects, it becomes clear that such attacks are not unintentional and arbitrary. They are part of a strategy to spread fear and terror among the civilian population of Ukraine. I hope the Russian perpetrators of these shocking acts will be brought to justice,” said the founder of Virgin Galactic. Brenson added that at the end of the trip he met with Zelensky and some cabinet officials. And I saw how the president of our country has changed, becoming “a rare wartime leader projecting an invincible spirit and relentless determination to bring this war to an end and repel aggression.” – Leaving Ukraine, it will take some time to remake the flurry impressions and insights. But I understand what is needed in Ukraine – I will subscribe in the coming days and share more. I hope that Ukraine and its wonderful people will win and win this war by taking control of their territory, their sovereignty and their future path. But more than ever, we all must unite and confront the threat that faces Ukraine and the world,” Branson summed up. 71-year-old Richard Branson is an English entrepreneur, founder of the Virgin Group corporation. According to Forbes magazine, Branson's net worth is estimated at $5 billion.
