Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, 44, and his wife Olena Zelenska, 44, are featured on the latest digital cover for the US Vogue edition. The photoshoot sparked online outrage for the couple posing in a ‘glamourous’ shoot during their country’s ongoing battle against invading Russian troops.
Renowned photographer Annie Leibowitz shot the portraits, whilst the article was written by Paris-based journalist Rachel Donadio.
President Zelensky and his wife’s ‘war-themed’ Vogue feature
The piece primarily focuses on First Lady Zelenska, with the title cover: Portrait of Bravery: Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska.
The cover depicts along with the title, a photograph of the first lady posing on a staircase. Another image posted on Vogue‘s official Instagram correlates to the cover, showing a wide shot of the room filled with supplies and her husband in a vest as he guards her from behind.
Further images released show the couple embracing each other whilst seated at a table. The couple shared with Vogue, details regarding their marriage and how they’ve managed to cope during the pressing circumstances of war.
President Zelensky stated that the war has only made their marriage stronger, despite them being apart for long periods of time. The President who met his wife in high school ’26 years ago’ goes on to describe the First Lady as his ‘best friend’.
The couple also revealed that the Ukrainian president has not been able to see his children since the start of the war with Russia over five months ago. Their daughter, Oleksandra, 18, and son Kyrylo, nine, were sent away to an undisclosed location for safety purposes.
Another image shows the first lady as she stands before the remains of what was once the world’s heaviest aircraft – Antonov An-225 Mriya, surrounded by armed bodyguards. Along the ‘war-themed’ photos posted on the image-sharing platform, the caption reads in part:
“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.”
The article highlights the responsibility of the First Lady of Ukraine during the war. After coming out of hiding in early May, the president’s wife emerged to take on a more active role in aiding the ongoing war. To encourage morale in a war-torn country, the first lady made an effort to meet with visiting dignitaries, attend public events, and give interviews.
In the interview, the mother of three expressed:
“These have been the most horrible months of my life, and the lives of every Ukrainian.”
“Frankly I don’t think anyone is aware of how we have managed emotionally. We’re looking forward to victory. We have no doubt we will prevail. And this is what keeps us going.”
Reaction to President Zelensky and his wife’s Vogue cover shoot
After the Vogue images were uploaded, an online debate surfaced over whether the images were appropriate during a sensitive time.
Over 150 days have passed since the war in Ukraine started. As reported by BBC News on 1 July 2022, more than 10,000 people have died in Ukraine since the start of the invasion, and millions have been displaced. Although the magazine’s issue addresses the current state of Ukraine, a president posing for a magazine shoot amid a war sparked a strong reaction from many online.
As Americans face inflation at home, the price tag for aiding the war in Ukraine has become a topic of dispute. As a result, Americans are questioning if part of the US $40 billion donated to Ukraine was used for the Vogue campaign. There has been no evidence thus far to suggest that these claims are true.
Texas Congresswoman Mayra Flores expressed concern and tweeted:
“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.”
Conservative activist Scott Presler also raised concerns over the donated US Support funds and tweeted:
“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?”
Avi Yemini, the chief Australian correspondent of Rebel News, expressed similar views, tweeting:
“Turned out the photos were faked. An act like the man himself. Now posing for Vogue. All to grift billions from western taxpayers.”
Popular comments on Vogue‘s official post read:
“I don’t think it’s the right move when there is an actual war, fancy lunch at the White House, Annie Leibovitz shoot…”
“This does not seem like a good idea for them to pose in a magazine when people are dying daily in their country, it just seems glib!”
Another comment that received hundreds of likes said:
“Romanticizing war isn’t it, Vogue.”
Despite the negative media regarding the sentiment of the Vogue photo shoot, some are defending the Ukrainian president and his wife. On the positive side of the debate, in the comment section of one of the posts, a Ukrainian citizen wrote:
“Thank you Vogue for bringing awareness about Ukraine from the voices of actual Ukrainians.”
Check out the latest episode of our lifestyle show, The Swisher Podcast, with Sanelisiwe Owetu Ntabeni and Zodidi Dano below: