Zelensky arrived in Vienna on a secret visit and left his wife standing in the rain during a meeting with the Austrian president

On his way to the G7 summit in Canada, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stopped in Vienna and met with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. This marks Zelensky’s first visit to Austria since the start of the war.

According to Austrian media, central Vienna was shut down for the visit, with unprecedented security measures in place. The visit was not officially announced ahead of time — only leaks had suggested it might happen, prompting local media to call it a “secret trip.”

In addition to meeting the Austrian president, Zelensky is also expected to hold talks with the Chancellor and the Foreign Minister of Austria.

Two demonstrations are reportedly planned in Vienna: one in support of Ukraine, and one against it.

Local tabloids also picked up on a protocol gaffe during the visit. The newspaper Heute wrote that Zelensky left his wife standing in the rain when exiting his car to greet Van der Bellen.

“The Ukrainian president stepped out of his BMW and headed straight down the red carpet to greet Van der Bellen. His wife, Olena Zelenska, was left to walk alone — unaided — in a green pantsuit and high heels,” Heute wrote.