Zelensky’s autographed baseball for sale to help Ukraine

An MLB baseball signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York has been auctioned off, according to a report.
Part of the proceeds from the sale of the balloon will help relief efforts in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion of the country.
Zelensky inked his last name on baseball in Ukrainian and English during a visit to the Big Apple in 2019. His signatures can be found just below the Major League Baseball logo, reports TMZ.
The balloon is accompanied by a letter signed by Volodymyr Yelchenko, then Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Nations.
The sale, which is being handled by RR Auction, is expected to fetch at least $15,000.
Randy L. Kaplan, who sells the baseball, originally received it as a gift from Yelchenko.

Kaplan has an affinity for baseball and Major League politics, and has been collecting balls signed by world leaders for nearly 30 years. His first was autographed by Bill Clinton.
The baseball is described as being in “very good condition,” according to the auction listing. Kaplan plans to donate a portion of the proceeds to a Ukrainian relief fund as a show of solidarity.
Additionally, RR Auction says they will donate their cut to the same fund.

Baseball has already received 14 bids, before a bidder was announced after May 11.