Surprise relationship: A barbershop thread in the course of the newest Ukraine conflict
Despite via very different parts of society, an old adviser to help you Zelenskyy and you will a good Kyiv-founded hairdresser struck right up good lifelong friendship merely times ahead of Russia introduced a full-level invasion out-of Ukraine.
Igor Novikov, left, and Vitalii Yurievich met once more set for initially just after their very first meeting for the eve of war [Courtesy of Igor Novikov]
When Kirgiziska kvinnliga personer Igor Novikov, an enthusiastic affable 40-year-dated previous agent so you can Ukrainian Chairman Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was told by a reliable supply towards , one to Russia create reside the world in 24 hours or less, he generated a many uncommon selection: he chose to guide good haircut very he could feel like Jimmy Fallon, new American cam tell you servers. When he sat inside the elegant house from inside the a quiet, rich community to the borders out of Kyiv, soaking on the frightening news, he appreciated enough time per year before whenever Fallon got found a section out of an interview Igor got done with the united states news route MSNBC and you will pointed out its striking resemblance toward audience. “When did I feel a high Ukrainian official?” Fallon joked, extract the same significant expression Igor got worn in the interview, just before including, “He or she is an effective-lookin people.” Igor was previously accountable for Ukraine-You affairs together with worked closely having Zelenskyy while in the a disruptive several months about a couple of nations’ diplomatic interactions. That it experience, combined with the point that he had an indigenous master of English by way of his United kingdom schooling, required Igor know however “feel among the many someone speaking having Ukraine” since battle first started.