In February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine and declared war, one person who emerged as a hero was the Ukraine President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Wearing a pair of cargo trousers with his signature simple olive-green t-shirt and combat boots, Zelenskyy was seen standing on the frontlines of the war alongside the country’s military.
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There were several rumours of the President fleeing the country and abandoning his people. But the President hushed all rumours by posting videos wherein he kept updating the citizens about the ground reality. Overnight, people from across the world called him a “hero” and an inspiration for other leaders.
However, the tables have turned. Russia and Ukraine are still at war and it is a given that there are innumerable issues that President Zelenskyy has to deal with at the moment. However, he and his wife, Olena Zelenska managed to take out the time to do a Vogue photoshoot.
The photoshoot and the article, titled ‘Portrait of Bravery: Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska’ is primarily based on the first lady. In the interview, she talks about coming under the limelight, battling a war, and how things have changed for her and Ukrainians.
In some of the pictures that were taken, Olena Zelenska poses amid the spoils of war and alongside her husband, who has her wrapped in his arms. There is also another picture where the couple sits side by side holding hands inside the presidential office compound.
The President went on to face massive backlash because of this. Many called it “elitist” and “insensitive” as the rest of the country is allegedly fighting for its life.
A complete loss of sovereignty, a poor country, currency devaluation, a third of agricultural land sold to US corporations, the last grain is exported.
What is Zelensky doing? A photoshoot with his wife for glamorous Vogue. pic.twitter.com/sIvCCpcz6l
— Lucy Gatsby (@LucyGatsby) July 26, 2022
When your people are dying in a #NATO proxy war and you pose for Vogue you are not a leader, you are a morally bankrupt NATO-controlled parasite who sends his own people to death while dressing up & prostituting himself to Western warlords.#Zelensky #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/RdcUOQoKoh
— vanessa beeley (@VanessaBeeley) July 27, 2022
Why did we send $54 billion to Ukraine, so Zelensky & his wife could pose for Vogue?
You’re at war & you’ve got time for photo shoots? pic.twitter.com/XV5rz0meME
— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) July 27, 2022
I respected Zelensky at the beginning of the war when we were flooded with photos of the Ukrainian President on the frontline in tactical gear.
Turned out the photos were faked.
An act like the man himself.
Now posing for Vogue.
All to grift billions from western taxpayers. pic.twitter.com/nSsiok0Iyw
— Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) July 26, 2022
Zelensky is "fighting for his life" in Ukraine but has time to meet with Hollywood celebrities and corrupt politicians, preach about the need to transition to "green energy," and appear in Vogue magazine. Put the war on hold while I pose for photoshoots. It's always been a scam.
— Matthew H (@MattH_4America) July 26, 2022
People are dying, but Zelensky is busy taking pictures for Vogue.
— Blue Dog Eyes (@BlueDogEyes1) July 27, 2022
People are criticizing the Zelensky @vogue wartime glamour shoot as narcissistic, in poor taste, and wrongly timed but what they forget is that it’s also tone deaf and elitist.
— Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) July 27, 2022
Biden: Let's continue to send billions of dollars in foreign aid to Ukraine, they need it!
Reality: The Zelensky family graces us with a photo shoot to be on the cover of Vogue magazine pic.twitter.com/NRdTWZOS3j
— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores2022) July 27, 2022
You're struggling to afford food and your government is sending your money to Ukraine where Zelensky is taking a break from the "war" to do a photoshoot with Vogue.
They hate you and they want you to know it.
— Matthew H (@MattH_4America) July 27, 2022
What are your views on this?