Zelenskyy's European tour and Moldova's resignation

What was the political picture in Ukraine and its neighbourhood on 14 February 2023? It was shaped by two developments in the preceding days: a presidential tour of Western capitals and a government resignation in Moldova.

A second trip abroad

On 8 February 2023, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United Kingdom. It was his second trip outside Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion; the first, in December 2022, had taken him to the United States.

In London he met King Charles III and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He also addressed members of parliament in Westminster Hall, in the Houses of Parliament.

The journey did not end there. As reported on 8 February, Zelenskyy was to travel on to France, where he would meet President Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz. By 14 February 2023, the visit to Britain was already part of a wider run of meetings with the leaders of major European states.

Trouble next door

At the same time, the war's effects were being felt beyond Ukraine's borders. On 10 February 2023, Moldovan prime minister Natalia Gavrilița resigned. The resignation came amid an economic crisis and what were described as the collateral effects of the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

The two developments sat side by side. Ukraine's leader was travelling to put his case to allied governments in person, while a neighbouring country was losing its prime minister under the economic strain that accompanied the conflict.

What the days showed

Looking back from today, the days leading up to 14 February 2023 show how far the war's political consequences extended. Zelenskyy's appearances in London and then with the French and German leaders placed Ukraine's case before key European audiences. Moldova's change of leadership showed the pressure on a neighbouring state.