FALSE: American officials did not meet Zelenskyi during his visit to the USA

Information is being spread online claiming that American representatives did not meet the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, upon his arrival in the USA. Instead, he was greeted at the aircraft stairs by the crew of the Ukrainian plane and Andrii Yermak, the Head of the Office of the President. As evidence, a video is provided where a Ukrainian flag is visible on the chest patch of the serviceman who meets Zelenskyi.

However, this is false. Zelenskyi was met by a U.S. Air Force officer and Acting Chief of Protocol of the State Department, Abigail Jones. There were no protocol violations.

At the aircraft stairs, Zelenskyi was met by two military personnel, and the one who first shook the President’s hand was wearing the uniform of the United States Air Force.

This is clearly visible in the next frame, where the officer is walking behind Volodymyr Zelenskyi. His attire has all the distinctive features of the U.S. Air Force uniform: blue-colored fabric, significantly darker than the uniform of the Ukrainian Air Force, a different cut of the service coat, and the appearance of the cap. American insignia can also be seen on the uniform. This is exactly the type of dress uniform worn by U.S. Air Force officers during official and ceremonial events, including welcoming high-ranking officials at military bases. 

On the Andrews Air Base website, there are images of the arrival of other foreign leaders at this base — U.S. Air Force officers also met them in identical uniforms.

The second serviceman, whom propagandists mistakenly presented as the pilot of Zelenskyi’s plane, is Major General Borys Kremenetskyi, the Defense Attaché of Ukraine in the USA. 

Meetings with foreign leaders in the USA, including aircraft arrivals at Andrews Base (Maryland), follow strict protocol rules. The base’s protocol office is responsible for organization. It ensures coordination of the visit, security, and ceremonial procedures. In most cases, the leaders of countries are met by the commander of the 316th Wing of the U.S. Air Force (a unit roughly equivalent to a brigade in other branches) or another representative appointed by the base commander. The arrival of foreign delegations at a military airfield cannot occur without representatives of the base — this would contradict basic security considerations.

Visits to the USA are organized by the U.S. State Department or the White House, so their representatives are usually present as well. During working visits of foreign leaders, the head of the State Department’s Protocol Office greets them. During Zelenskyi’s visit, he was also met by Acting Chief of the State Department Protocol Service Abigail Jones.

Also, according to protocol, up to six representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA may meet the President of Ukraine at the aircraft stairs. In the video, there are two individuals — Ukraine’s Ambassador to the USA, Olha Stefanishyna, and the Defense Attaché of Ukraine in the USA, Major General Borys Kremenetskyi. Therefore, there were no protocol violations.