Ukraine President & First Lady Pose For Vogue, Netizens Have Mixed Reactions

After Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukraine President, and the First Lady, Olena Zelensky, posed for the international fashion and lifestyle magazine as a part of an in-person interview, the internet is unable to stop discussing them. While some called them a “power couple” and “beautiful”, the couple had to face severe backlash and criticism as well. Some called it “distasteful”, “ridiculous” and a “publicity stunt” citing the ongoing crisis in the country.

“Priorities. I'm sure the dudes in the trenches appreciate the effort the Zelensky's are putting into stopping the war. A Vogue cover will help, for sure. Slava Ukraini”, wrote one on Twitter.

Another wrote, “During a war, you either shoot your opponent or get shot...by Vogue. (PS: No Hair and Make-up dada were harmed in the making of this cover)”

Priorities.

I'm sure the dudes in the trenches appreciate the effort the Zelensky's are putting into stopping the war. A Vogue cover will help, for sure.

Slava Ukraini pic.twitter.com/E6KHtH1Xz5

— Area 52 (@_iMohar_) July 26, 2022

Russia invaded Ukraine nearly 150 days ago in February and the country has been at war since then. The war has claimed thousands of lives.

On Tuesday, Vogue published an article as well as posted on social media platforms featuring the couple with the headline “Portrait of Bravery”. In the story, the First Lady has been featured sitting in the presidential office dressed casually in black pants and a white top for one. In another picture, she is standing in a blue long coat in the midst of wreckage with soldiers around her.

In the in-person interview, the couple spoke about their marriage, shared history and dreams for Ukraine and life in wartime. They also spoke about a hard time living away from their children due to the war.

“We have no doubt we will prevail.” As the war in Ukraine enters a critical new phase, the country’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, has become a key player—a frontline diplomat and the face of her nation’s emotional toll. https://t.co/DCXWYnzAsKpic.twitter.com/wcaY5IFGHf

— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) July 26, 2022

On their Instagram post, Vogue wrote, “In Ukraine, tens of thousands of women have been on the front lines, including in combat, and First Lady Olena Zelenska’s role has increasingly turned toward frontline diplomacy. She recently travelled to Washington, albeit on an unofficial, unannounced visit, and met with President Biden, first lady Dr. Jill Biden, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. There, she also addressed Congress, telling a bipartisan group of lawmakers that she was speaking as a mother and daughter, not just a first lady. “I’m asking for something I would never want to ask for: I am asking for weapons — weapons that would not be used to wage a war on somebody else’s land but to protect one’s home and the right to wake up alive in that home,” she said that day.”

Vogue mentioned that a full profile of the First Lady will be available in their October issue.