DARREN ABBOTT

“I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THIS”: VIRGIN GROUP FOUNDER RICHARD BRANSON ISSUES A POWERFUL STATEMENT SUPPORTING UKRAINE 🇬🇧🇺🇦 British billionaire, philanthropist, and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson has reportedly published an unusually forceful statement on LinkedIn. Branson, whose business empire includes Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Galactic, and hundreds of other companies, reportedly directed his message at international business leaders, investors, and European governments. FULL TEXT OF THE STATEMENT ATTRIBUTED TO RICHARD BRANSON: “I never thought I would have to say this in my lifetime, but it is 2026, and the Trump administration has become an appeaser of autocrats and dictators. What is it about Putin that makes President Trump so eager to please him? The slowing and restricting of Starlink/Starshield operations, along with the inexplicable failure to provide advance warnings of Russian missile launches, have already resulted in Ukrainian civilians dying needlessly. How much worse can this get? The one thing that has become absolutely clear is that European leaders must overcome their initial shock at Trump's actions and take the initiative themselves. Both Europe's freedom and Ukraine's sovereignty are at stake. Our responsibility is to ensure that the free world is not destroyed before our very eyes.” A WARNING FROM A GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADER As the founder of Virgin Group, Branson is sending a message to the international corporate community: remaining silent about the appeasement of autocrats is no longer acceptable when global stability and security are at risk. A DIRECT CALL FOR EUROPE TO TAKE THE LEAD The central message attributed to Branson is that European governments and business leaders must stop relying on the unpredictable policies of the White House. European countries must take greater responsibility for providing decisive military and financial assistance to Ukraine, investing in their own defense industries, and protecting democratic values. A LONG-STANDING SUPPORTER OF UKRAINE Sir Richard Branson was among the prominent international business figures who personally visited Ukraine after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. He is also an official ambassador of UNITED24, Ukraine's fundraising platform. If authenticated, this LinkedIn statement would represent another significant intervention by Branson in support of Ukraine and an appeal to the global business community to defend European security and Ukrainian sovereignty.