“Don’t be deceived, events in Australia threaten the world with global consequences.” Poroshenko trolls Zelensky while commenting on Australian fires

Wordplay.

Petro Poroshenko expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and the residents of Australia and called on Ukraine to demonstrate “a fitting level of solidarity.” In particular, the fifth president suggested that Volodymyr Zelensky call Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and offer assistance.

Interestingly, the fifth president’s address used a “play on words.” The text literally reads: “Don’t be deceived, events in Australia threaten the world with global consequences.”

The Ukrainian phrase “don’t be deceived” can be understood not only as “don’t mislead yourself,” but also as “don’t be in Oman” [the name of a country].

On the morning of January 5, the outlet published photos of the president at one of the five-star hotels in Oman. According to the outlet, the president secretly left with his family to relax after celebrating the New Year in Bukovel. 

A few hours later, the president’s press service confirmed that Volodymyr Zelensky was in Oman and stressed that he “flew there with his family on a scheduled flight at his own expense.” The Office of the President noted that during the visit to Oman, the president has a series of high-level meetings planned with the country’s leadership.

Later in the evening, the Office of the President published a photo of Zelensky’s meeting with Oman’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah. On January 6, the Office of the President showed photos from a meeting of Volodymyr Zelensky and Andriy Yermak with the head of Oman’s State Treasury. The press release said the meeting discussed attracting investment from Oman into Ukraine.