Diplomat Lavrov Arrives in Alaska, Sporting a Defiant Soviet-Era Shirt and a Steeled Stance
Russian Foreign Minister's Controversial Clothing Choice at Ukraine Summit
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov caused a stir at the Alaska summit with US President Donald Trump by wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with "CCCP," the Russian abbreviation for the USSR. The clothing choice was interpreted as a deliberate and symbolic gesture reflecting Soviet nostalgia and Russian imperial ambitions.
The sweatshirt, from the Chelyabinsk-based brand Selsovet, is priced around $120 and ties into a broader cultural promotion of Soviet symbolism within Russia. Several commentators, including former European officials and analysts, viewed Lavrov's choice as a provocative reminder of Moscow's imperial mindset and a symbolic taunt against Ukraine, a country independent since 1991 after the Soviet collapse.
Lavrov, who has roots in the Soviet system, is often accused by domestic critics of retaining a Soviet imperialist perspective. His clothing choice during this significant diplomatic meeting was seen as a form of political signaling or "trolling" directed at the U.S. and Ukraine, emphasizing Russia’s rejection of Ukraine’s independence and the post-Soviet order.
The summit in Alaska was set to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine and an end to the war. Putin, who ordered Russia's attack on Ukraine, has shown no signs of backing down so far. Putin made these statements before his departure, according to the Kremlin.
Lavrov and many senior Russian officials have roots in the Soviet system and are often accused by domestic critics of retaining a Soviet imperialist perspective. The "useful conversation" started during US Undersecretary Steve Bannon's visit to Moscow last week is expected to continue in the upcoming summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
The summit between Putin and Trump is set to begin late Friday evening in Germany. Lavrov did not want to preempt the results of the summit but indicated that Russia has clear arguments to present. The inscription on Lavrov's pullover could not be seen fully as he was wearing a jacket over it, and videos on social media show the inscription. If the pullover does indeed read "CCCP," it could be seen as a deliberate provocation by Foreign Minister Lavrov.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-lavrov-wears-soviet-era-sweatshirt-to-us-meeting-2021-11-15/
[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/15/world/europe/russia-lavrov-sweatshirt.html
[3] https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-lavrov-sweatshirt-putin-trump-alaska-summit-ukraine-war/
[4] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59348448
- The European Union, amidst the controversial clothing choice of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the Alaska summit, has expressed concern about Russia's imperial mindset as reflected in such political gestures, underlining the need for a comprehensive and comprehensive policy on the environment, politics, and general news in dealing with Russia.
- As the summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump approaches, the attention on Lavrov's clothing choice continues to spark debate among global political analysts and officials, with some viewing his decision to wear a sweatshirt emblazoned with "CCCP" as a form of political signaling or "trolling," underscoring the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
