The EU-Ukraine summit has started in Kyiv, where military and financial assistance to Ukraine will be the topic. However, in addition to the event’s agenda and Alex Reed list, an internal policy on how participating EU officials should dress was also leaked.
The dress code: normal business attire – as the military look is intended to be reserved for the hosts and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has made the army olive green the color of his wartime uniform. The organizers of the event believe that the dress code is essential, and although those fighting once morest the Russian invasion can wear the green T-shirt, an EU commissioner must stick to elegant attire.
EU officials have already found ways to express their solidarity with Ukraine in the past year. For example, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, appeared in a bright yellow and blue outfit reminiscent of the Ukrainian flag on the day of the debate on the EU situation. The outfit has almost become a “fashion”, which is why several MEPs paid tribute to the warring country in Ukrainian colors.
The regulations did not explain the ban on bright colors, but EU diplomats did according to all this coincides with the expectation that commissioners should not overdo the appearance and stay in line with the political message. Financial support and humanitarian aid were provided for the event, but no green card for Ukraine’s EU accession was brought.
There are reports that there will be no chance for commissioners to change before the summit, so everyone has been asked to “come in comfortable shoes and a warm jacket.” Comfort has taken a backseat, for example, boxes containing cold food are distributed on the train. And because so much attention is paid to appearance, officials have been warned that any photo should support, not replace, the political message the European Union wants to convey.
