Ukraine's foreign minister rejects claims of Ukraine fatigue and riffs on "elephant in the room" idiom

Asked to comment on rumours that European countries are supposedly suffering from Ukraine war fatigue, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has described the phrase "the elephant in the room" as unfair.

Source: Kuleba during a joint press conference in Brussels with EU Diplomacy Chief Josep Borrell

Details: A journalist asked the foreign minister how he felt about the "elephant in the room" – as she called the rumours of "Ukraine fatigue" in European capitals – and whether he saw any relevant signs prompting the commencement of negotiations with Russia.

Quote from Kuleba: "I think, actually, that this idiom is unfair towards elephants. Elephants are very wise animals, very compassionate, very energetic. And if you are a member of the herd, they always protect each other. Whatever their condition is.

First, all the right elephants are on our side. And second, we are members of the herd, and it means that elephants will protect us as strongly as we will be making our contribution to protecting them. But to make my answer more simple and dried out of interpretations: No, I don’t feel any pressure."

The minister confirmed that he does not feel any pressure on Ukraine to initiate negotiations with Russia.

Following the questions, the EU's chief diplomat approached his Ukrainian counterpart and said jokingly: "You don't look like an elephant." Kuleba quipped: "I'm an elephant on a diet."

Borrell also stated at the press conference that he sees no sign of "war fatigue" among European countries and is confident that assistance to Ukraine will continue.

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