Ukraine ambassador to the UK visits Bournemouth Air Festival

Bournemouth East MP Mr Ellwood welcomed Vadym Prystaiko along with ambassadors from Estonia, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

The diplomats met with members of the armed forces, who have displays on the beach.

Mr Ellwood, who was able to bring the ambassadors to the hospitality tent thanks to BCP Council, told the Daily Echo: “Some of them had never been to Bournemouth before and all of them promised to return on their own accord either in their personal capacity or to look at other opportunity of extending outreach from their countries.

“It stems from my time as a foreign minister. All ambassadors have it as part of their duty to understand and get a flavour of what is going on up and down the country and get out of London.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to sell Bournemouth and the wider area and enjoy a great afternoon.

“They all have strong connections with our military. You could see the delight of the Ukrainian ambassador’s face. I hadn’t seen it on the seafront but it was the Ukrainian ambassador who said ‘Starstreak, Starstreak, I must come and look at this’ because it has just been so pivotal and game-changing in what is happening in Ukraine.

“He was able to meet the troops and convey his thanks for the training and for what Britain is doing."

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Mr Ellwood also introduced Mr Prystaiko to Karol Swiacki and the team behind the hugely successful Ukraine Relief effort, which has received nationwide backing.

Tobias Ellwood MP and Vadym Prystaiko with members of the Ukraine Relief team on the seafront

Ukraine Relief has a seafront stall during the air festival near Boscombe Pier.

“I have been meaning to put together for some time,” Mr Ellwood said.

“He spent some extra time there to say a huge thank you through Karol to all of the people across Bournemouth and beyond for their incredible generosity. It has been a landmark and it has turned into a national effort. It has grown so much from Bournemouth alone.

“For him to come down and say thank you directly to Karol and his wife, he was very moved, so I was pleased to be able to facilitate that.”

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Discussing the air festival, Mr Ellwood said: “This is our landmark event for the year. To see it back in all its glory is great news, not just for the economy but to collectively lift the town’s spirits.

“I am pleased to see the line-up of favourite aircraft. It is a reflection of how busy the Royal Navy are that we don’t have the same maritime surface presence but we will fix that next year, I am sure.”