KYIV, Sept 6 (Reuters) – Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday thanked his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken for helping to reopen the fast-food restaurant over fries and a cherry pie. American food McDonald’s MCD.N in Ukraine after the invasion of Russia.
The two senior diplomats had a quick meal at a McDonald’s in Kyiv before a joint press conference and after Mr. Blinken met with Ukrainian President Mr. Volodimir Zelensky.
Blinken is on a two-day visit to Ukraine, the first by a senior US official since the Kyiv counteroffensive began in early June.
Speaking to reporters as they ate, Mr Kuleba recalled that he had told Mr Blinken by telephone after the Russian invasion how important it was for the fast-food chain to return to Ukraine.
“The secretary of state told him that he heard me and would carefully consider what could be done,” Kuleba said. A few days later, his team received a phone call from the US Embassy about the request.
“I think McDonald’s presence in the country is a message: a message of trust… That’s how McDonald’s comeback started, in a phone conversation. And that’s why we’re here this evening”
The world’s largest burger chain closed its restaurants in Ukraine and Russia in March 2022, following Moscow’s invasion of the Eastern European country.
However, it reopened some branches (link) in Ukraine in September 2022, while in Russia the American company sold its points of sale. They reopened in June 2022 under a new Russian brand (link).
Mr Blinken said McDonald’s was eager to return to Ukraine and the two diplomats wanted to mark the food chain’s return with a quick visit.
“We figured next time I’m in Kyiv we should have a chance to stop by,” Blinken said.
2023-09-06 19:14:12
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