WARMINGTON: Zelenskyy has Toronto in the palm of his hand

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Ukraine’s President was greeted with applause by an awaiting crowd as he left a hotel in the city Friday night

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Published Sep 22, 2023  •  Last updated 42 minutes ago  •  1 minute read

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Just as Canada offered another hand to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukraine President offered his hand as well.

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But one of his security detail was not was not amused.

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When a doorman at the Fairmont Royal York went to meet the President’s extended hand to shake it as he was leaving the hotel Friday night, a security officer knocked the doorman’s hand away.

“It was surreal to witness such a wild security incident,” said Mocha Bezirgan, of Media Bezirgan, who has been covering Zelenskyy’s visit to Canada. “But it had a happy ending.”

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Zelenskyy actually made the extra effort to make sure he shook the doorman’s hand, an interaction Bezirgan captured on video.

“It was one of those unscripted, cool moments that happen when you cover world leaders,” Bezirgan said. “I have already had interest from news agencies from around the world.”

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It’s also a reminder that world leaders are also human — even when they’re embattled in a war.

The crowd clearly appreciated seeing Zelenskyy as well and could be heard chanting “stand with Ukraine.”

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Zelenskyy waved at the crowd as he climbed into an awaiting SUV on Front St. W.

The Prime Minister also waved at onlookers and soaked up applause from the crowd — many tourists in for the weekend — while ignoring the taunts from a couple of dozen anti-Trudeau protesters.

But it was Zelensky, donned in his famous green battle fatigues, that the crowd was most excited to catch a glimpse of. And he didn’t disappoint.

Especially when he made that extra effort toward the doorman who with his peers and management did an outstanding job handling a challenging security situation.

Zelenskyy wanted to give them a hand.

jwarmington@postmedia.com

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