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A Major League Baseball (MLB) ball autographed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been auctioned off. According to TMZ, a percentage of the earnings from the sale of the ball will go towards humanitarian efforts in Ukraine as a result of Russia’s ongoing invasion.
The MLB baseball is inscribed “Zelensky” in Ukrainian cursive and English print in black felt tip on a side panel. During a visit to New York in 2019, the Ukrainian President inscribed his last name on the ball. The ball is accompanied by a letter signed by Volodymyr Yelchenko, Ukraine’s UN Ambassador at the time.
The baseball is being auctioned off by RR Auction. According to TMZ, the ball is estimated to bring at least $15,000. According to the auction item, the baseball is in “very excellent” shape.
The RR Auction house reported that Randy L Kaplan, a government affairs specialist in New York, is selling the baseball, which he received as a present from Mr Yelchenko. As a show of solidarity, Mr Kalpan intends to contribute a portion of the proceeds to a Ukrainian assistance fund. RR Auction has also said that they will donate their part to the same fund. The auction will end on May 11.
Mr Zelensky has vehemently condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24. He has frequently asked for a cease-fire to allow civilians to flee the critically damaged port. Mr Putin, on the other hand, urged last week that the beleaguered Ukrainian defenders be locked into their last stand.
Ukraine’s President has declared that if Russian troops kill Ukrainians holed up in a steel mill in Mariupol or hold referendums on independence in other occupied districts, Kiev will withdraw from negotiations.
