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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