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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Vincent Whelan

Conor McGregor criticised by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for 2018 photo with Vladimir Putin

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly expressed his disappointment at Conor McGregor for posing for a photo with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in 2018.

The Irish Independent state that Zelensky made the comment while engaged in a meeting with Irish dignitaries in Kyiv last weekend.

The Irish delegation was headed by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Seanad Cathaoirleach Mark Daly and were apparently told by Zelensky that he had once been a fan of the MMA icon up until he happily smiled alongside Putin at the 2018 World Cup final which was held in Moscow.

Daly is quoted as saying: “He (Zelensky) felt he (McGregor) wasn’t being supportive of Ukraine. This man is fighting a war but he knows what’s going on all around the world including in Ireland."

Seemingly though, the much-heralded Ukrainian leader was effusive in his praise of U2 singer Bono in the wake of his recent visit to the war-torn capital city where he sang in a subway station before later meeting Zelensky.

Back in 2018, McGregor had shared the photo of himself and Putin on Instagram with a glowing caption hailing the dictator.

He wrote: "Today I was invited to the World Cup final as a guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"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."

The former two-weight world champion also presented Putin with a bottle of his Proper 12 whiskey which he claimed was later tested for poison by the 69-year-old's security team.

The Irish Independent reached out to McGregor's camp prior to publication.

A spokesperson for the Dubliner said he “often takes photographs with event hosts” and that “this photograph was years ago”.

The majority of Zelensky's meeting with Ó Fearghaíl, Daly and Co focused on how Ireland can help the under-siege country at the moment as well as in the future.

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