Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been criticized on social media for posing for the digital cover of Vogue magazine with his wife and First Lady, Olena Zelenska, in the midst of a war that has decimated the country.
The couple was photographed together for the piece by famous photographer Annie Leibowitz, however, the article focused mostly on Zelenska, 44.
The photo was titled, “Portrait of Bravery: Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska.”
President Zelensky and his wife were featured in the piece together inside their compound at Mariinsky Palace, which is located outside of Kyiv.
Zelenska, the First Lady, can be seen in one image standing next to the wreckage of the Antonov AN-225, a cargo plane and the largest aircraft in history, which was destroyed near February by Russian troops at an airport in Kyiv.
According to Zelenska: “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.”
While some have defended him and praised Zelensky for keeping the conflict in the public eye, others have criticized the pair for the photo shoot, claiming that despite the enormous amounts of aid given to the country since the start of the Russian invasion in February, the president still has time for a photoshoot.
A conservative activist, Scott Presler commented saying, “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?”
Texas Congresswoman, Mayra Flores said, “Biden: Let’s continue to send billions of dollars in foreign aid to Ukraine, they need it!’ She added: ‘Reality: The Zelensky family graces us with a photo shoot to be on the cover of Vogue magazine.”
