Why Is Olena Zelenska Featured Prominently With Head Of State And Heads Of Government Visit Ukraine? Narcissistic? Goal To Create Political Marketability For Her Seeking Office?

The four leaders of the first, second, third, and tenth largest countries on the European Continent as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) visit Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine (2019-2024; term extended due to imposition of martial law in 2022), hosts Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany (EU, NATO); Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of United Kingdom (NATO); Emmanuel Macron, President of France (EU, NATO); and Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland (EU, NATO).

The oddity and for some inappropriateness was the featured prominence of Mrs. Olena Zelenska, wife of President Zelensky.

Was it necessary and appropriate for her to be included in photo opportunities with and elected head of state and elected heads of government?  Is there something narcissistic about the government of Ukraine believing her omnipresence is not distracting, but provides enhanced value?  If so, those government officials, who may include President Zelensky, are wrong.

How does it make sense for Mrs. Zelenska to stand between President Zelensky and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom? Absent Mrs. Zelenska, the optic would have been of “no distance” between the President and the Prime Minister. The same optic presented by President Zelensky and the President of France.

The question becomes whether the government of Ukraine is focused upon leaders of countries whose taxpayers have for more than four years provided substantial commercial, economic, financial, military, political, and social support for the government of Ukraine and citizens of Ukraine, or focused upon marketing the wife of the president of Ukraine.

Diplomatic protocol has a role. Abusing it for self-interest does not have a role.