“Antonov’s poster boy An-225” can project Ukraine’s soft power in this time of global obsession with the coronavirus,

“Antonov’s poster boy An-225” can project Ukraine’s soft power in this time of global obsession with the coronavirus, Alyona Getmanchuk writes in an Atlantic Council blog, “Ukraine Flies to the Rescue.” “The current coronavirus crisis has provided Antonov with what can only be described as a golden opportunity to demonstrate its worth to Ukraine’s international partners,” writes Getmanchuk, director of Kyiv’s New Europe Center. “Finland was able to significantly strengthen its national brand on the international stage with the help of specific Finnish companies such as Nokia and Angry Birds. There is no reason why Antonov cannot serve the same function for Ukraine,” she writes in a blog first posted on Ukrainska Pravda. “Instead of appearing as a perennial victim always in need of help and protection, this allows Ukraine to present itself as a predictable and competent partner.”