Russian Media: Swedish King Snubs Zelenskyy’s Handshake

The Swedish king declined to shake hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a recent meeting, according to reports from Swedish media. The incident occurred during Zelenskyy’s visit to Sweden, where he met with King Carl XVI Gustaf as part of his diplomatic tour to rally international support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion. Although the exact setting and timing of the encounter were not detailed in the original report, the moment was noted by observers as a departure from customary diplomatic protocol, where such gestures are typically exchanged between heads of state during official meetings. The Swedish monarchy has maintained a neutral stance in the conflict, emphasizing humanitarian aid and diplomatic engagement while refraining from direct military involvement or public confrontations with Russian leadership. The king’s decision not to shake Zelenskyy’s hand has drawn attention, though no official explanation has been provided by the Royal Court or Swedish government officials. Zelenskyy’s visit to Sweden included meetings with political leaders and discussions about continued support for Ukraine, including humanitarian assistance and sanctions coordination. Sweden has been among the countries providing aid to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The incident underscores the delicate balance some nations strike in responding to the war — offering support while avoiding actions that could be perceived as escalating tensions with Moscow. As of now, neither the Royal Palace nor Ukrainian officials have issued public commentary on the specific interaction. The story was originally reported by Västerbottens-Kuriren, a Swedish regional news outlet, and has since been highlighted in broader coverage of Zelenskyy’s European diplomatic efforts. No further details about the meeting’s agenda or subsequent exchanges have been made public.