Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine, appears on the October cover of the North American edition of fashion magazine Vogue. President Volodymyr Zelensky was also photographed and, along with his wife, will appear in the report “A Portrait of Courage: Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska,” published on the publication’s website on Tuesday (26).
The Zelensky couple’s initiative caused controversy on social media. Some posts cited that the coverage will help remind the world of the horrors of war. Others, however, said the President and First Lady were insensitive to the plight of the people of Ukraine (read more below).
The clicks were captured by photographer Annie Leibovitz, who was sent to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv along with journalist Rachel Donadio. In the report, Donadio shares details about meeting the First Lady.
2 of 5 Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine, on the cover of American Vogue’s October issue — Photo: REPRODUCTION/VOGUE/ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine, on the cover of American Vogue’s October issue — Photo: REPRODUCTION/VOGUE/ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
“I met Zelenska deep in the President’s office complex, a heavily guarded place to which I had traveled many hours to reach him,” the journalist writes.
The text reveals details about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sheds light on the role of women in the war and explains the importance of Zelenska in the course of the conflict.
“I can [ser um exemplo] for a part of our people, for a significant part,” President of Ukraine told Vogue. “But for women and children it is an example that my wife is here. I think she plays a very powerful role for Ukraine, for our families and for our women.”
However, the appearance of Zelenska on the cover of the fashion magazine has caused controversy on social networks.
Some netizens supported the Zelenskys’ presence in Vogue, saying the report would help remind the world of the horrors of war. This would therefore be another strategy used by the Ukrainian government to stay in the media.
3 of 5 Zelenska at Antonov Airport in Hostomel with a group of Ukrainian soldiers — Photo: REPRODUCTION/VOGUE/ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
Zelenska at the Antonov Airport in Hostomel with a group of Ukrainian soldiers — Photo: REPRODUCTION/VOGUE/ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
Meanwhile, several people spoke out and said the President and First Lady were insensitive to the plight of the people of Ukraine. However, most of the criticism was directed at Zelenskyy.
“Zelensky did a spectacular job of defeating the Russians in information warfare. Wartime photoshoot for Vogue: a bad idea,” tweeted Ian Bremmer, political scientist, chairman of Eurasia Group, the geopolitical risk consultancy.
When asked by his followers, Bremmer added: “I like the cover. I just don’t think the president should have attended.”
4 of 5 The Zelenskys were photographed in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv — Photo: REPRODUCTION/VOGUE/ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
The Zelensky couple was photographed in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv — Photo: REPRODUCTION/VOGUE/ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
5 of 5 Zelenska poses in the Ukrainian Parliament in Kyiv — Photo: PLAYBACK/VOGUE/ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
Zelenska poses in the Ukrainian Parliament in Kyiv — Photo: REPRODUCTION/VOGUE/ANNIE LEIBOVITZ