McGregor previously called Putin ‘one of the greatest leaders of our time’
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly hit out at Conor McGregor during a recent meeting with Irish politicians because of the UFC star’s praise for Vladimir Putin.
According to the Irish Independent, Zelenskyy told the delegation that he was once a fan of McGregor but changed his mind after the fighter posed for pictures with Putin at the 2018 World Cup final in Russia.
Mcgregor later posted about the meeting on Instagram, writing that Putin was “one of the greatest leaders of our time”.
“Today I was invited to the World Cup final as a guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin,” the post said.
“This man is one of the greatest leaders of our time and I was honored to attend such a landmark event alongside him.
“Today was an honor for me Mr Putin. Thank you and congratulations on an amazing World Cup. Россия вперёд!”
During a 45-minute meeting in Kyiv over the weekend, Irish politicians Sean O Fearghail and Mark Daly met with Zelenskyy to discuss Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union and Irish support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Daly told The Independent that Zelenskyy felt McGregor wasn’t being “supportive of Ukraine” due to his past praise of Putin.
A spokesperson for McGregor was quoted by The Independent as saying the photo was “years ago” and that he “takes photographs with event hosts”.
Regarding Zelenskyy’s comment, Daly told the Independent: “This man is fighting a war but he knows what’s going on all around the world, including in Ireland.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 and in the months since more than 12 million people have been displaced and more than 3,000 civilians have been killed.
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