A used wool jacket signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sold for £90,000, or about $111,000, at a fundraiser for Ukraine in London on Thursday.
“Today, the whole word refers to a man wearing a plain woolen jacket,” the Ukrainian Embassy in the UK said in a video posted to Twitter that includes footage of Zelensky wearing the jacket. “And now the iconic item, personally signed by President Zelensky, is here.”
The purpose of the event was to “tell the stories of (Ukrainian) bravery that became iconic during the war, as well as raise funds to support that bravery,” according to a tweet from the embassy.
After months of military build-up, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine in late February, sparking geopolitical turmoil and a refugee crisis. More than 3,000 civilians were killed in the conflict, according to the latest estimate by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The “Brave Ukraine” fundraiser, which included toys donated by Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska and photographs by the late photographer Max Levine, as well as Zelensky’s jacket, was organized by the Ukrainian Embassy in London at the Tate Modern art gallery.
The event raised more than $1 million for “With Ukraine,” the embassy’s official fundraising effort. Most of the funds will go towards the re-equipment of the Specialized Children’s Medical Center of Western Ukraine, the embassy said.
In a speech at the fundraiser, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Zelensky’s leadership after the Ukrainian president addressed attendees via video call.
“What an honor to speak in honor of my friend Volodymyr Zelenskyy, truly one of the most incredible leaders of modern times,” he said, according to a British government transcript.
Johnson also asked for “much higher bids” at the starting bid of £50,000, or about $61,000, for Zelensky’s fleece.
He criticized Russia for “destroying cities in Ukraine” and praised the bravery of the Ukrainian people.
“That’s why I’m more certain than ever that Ukraine will win,” Johnson said. “Ukraine will be free and a sovereign Ukraine will rise again.”
Source: CNN Brasil
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