Original article (in Albanian) was published on 22/04/2026; Author: Patris Pustina
A video circulating on social media, including Albanian-language platforms, is being shared with the claim that it shows a moment in which King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden allegedly declines to shake hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The clip shows Zelensky extending his hand before the King of Sweden had reached his position, resulting in a brief moment of misalignment.
Using Google Lens visual search, Faktoje identified the footage as coming from the meeting between King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Zelensky in Lviv on April 17, 2026. The visit marked the first time a monarch had traveled to Ukraine since the beginning of the war and included a planned joint tribute to fallen soldiers with Ukrainian officials.
In the full video, King Carl XVI Gustaf does shake hands with President Zelensky shortly after the moment shown in the clip, as confirmed by additional footage and photographs from the event.
Zelensky also shared the full video on his official account, along with a post describing the visit and acknowledging Sweden’s military and humanitarian support for Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right) greeted King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (left) in Lviv on April 17, 2026 (AFP / YURIY DYACHYSHYN).
The Swedish Royal Family denied claims that the King refused to shake hands with President Zelensky in an interview with the Swedish public broadcaster SVT on April 18, 2026. The interview referred to a segment aired by the Russian state broadcaster Russia Today (RT). The Royal Family described Russia’s portrayal of the meeting as “false and ugly.” SVT quoted a royal spokesperson saying that Zelenskyy and the King had in fact shaken hands several times in relation to the clip. The Royal Family had also previously published a photo showing the two smiling at the camera while shaking hands.
Swedish Foreign Minister Stenergard, who also attended the Lviv visit, said according to SVT: “When reality is not enough, propaganda takes over. Sweden’s strong support for Ukraine is clearly putting Russia under pressure, to the point where it feels the need to distort reality.” Since February 2022, Sweden has provided Ukraine with support equivalent to 11.9 billion euros, according to official figures.
The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, created to counter disinformation campaigns about Ukraine, also denied the claims. In a post dated April 18, 2026, the agency described the situation as “manipulation” and stated: “The full recording of the event clearly shows the traditional greeting and official handshake between heads of state.”
