Behind the scenes at Sunak and Zelenskyy's Dorset press conference

Restaurant openings and police raids are just a flavour of what we do. 

So when it was revealed prime minister Rishi Sunak and Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy were to arrive in Bovington, I was tremendously excited. 

Not knowing where or when or what they were doing, I raced to Bovington Camp (within the speed limit, constable) and was surprised to discover they were not there.  

I asked several people who couldn’t help me. Eventually, after finding the right people, I got my name onto the press list for a conference that could mark a turning point in the Ukraine-Russia war. 

Read more: President Zelensky and Rishi Sunak meet Ukrainian troops in Dorset

With military orders to head to Lulworth, I raced to the camp (still within the speed limit, constable). 

Zelenskyy hugging an admiring Ukrainian reporter (Image: Daily Echo)

In no time, I arrived at this deeply impressive site. Tanks and armoured vehicles are dotted around and soldiers pointed canes at me telling me where to park. The British Army has military precision. 

After an hour wait, the world’s press (and your local paper) was escorted to a freezing cold hangar where inside was a Challenger 2 tank (which would soon be in the hands of the Ukraine), two podiums and some flags. 

Read more: Why Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky went to Lulworth Camp

The room waited in anticipation. Some men in expensive suits and brushed hair walked in and behind them were Mr Sunak and Mr Zelenskyy. 

Waiting in the reporters' room (Image: Daily Echo)

The room lit up as dozens of journalists looked at the two world leaders, right here in Dorset, with cameras filming their every move. 

Both leaders had a fantastic aura around them. Small in stature, they are way more powerful than your average Joe could ever dream of being. 

Mr Zelenskyy – the man leading a massive, and incredible, fight against Vladimir Putin – had a fantastic warmth about him, especially after he gave a hug to an admiring Ukrainian journalist. 

The men addressed the world, answered questions from the big boys of the media, and left. 

It was over. The helicopters left. A chaotic, spontaneous, mad few hours. A whirlwind which both the Daily Echo and I are beyond grateful to have been a part of.