It’s a truth politicians shy away from admitting: Their job is often as much about photo ops and symbolism as it is about actual policy.
This may help explain why even before the EU has finalized its agenda and guest list for an upcoming two-day summit in Ukraine – the EU’s top leaders are set to hold talks with Ukrainian officials Dressed up – It circulated an internal memo with a clear message: There is a dress code.
In: “Normal business attire” (or as you come in Brussels).
Out: “Green, khaki or very bright colors” (less common in European quarters).
The reason for the note, sent last week and seen by Politico, was an apparent attempt to reserve the military look for host and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who made the army green T-shirt his ubiquitous war-time uniform Is. EU planners are probably keenly aware that this is an appropriate style of fighting off a brutal Russian invasion – but perhaps less so for the EU commissioner.
Of course, EU officials have found ways to show formal solidarity with Ukraine in the past. During her annual State of the European Union speech, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wore a bright yellow and blue dress mirroring the Ukrainian flag. The women commissioners of the European Union made a joint fashion statement by joining in the dress code from the audience.
The note – sent by the Secretariat General of the European Commission, which oversees the travel’s logistics and protocol services – gave no explanation for the brightly colored ban on the occasion, but EU diplomats said it was in line with expectations. to not overdo the imagery around the continent and to stay consistent with the political message. The EU, after all, may have to frustrate Ukraine over thorny issues such as its willingness to increasingly join the bloc.
Regardless, there will be little chance for organization change during the upcoming EU-Ukraine summit, which stretches to Thursday and Friday in Kyiv – there is simply no time or place.
“We are requested to travel light (backpack or similar), avoiding suitcases if possible,” the note said. “Since it is impossible to estimate the exact time of travel, it is advised to be prepared to travel directly to the meeting by train, if required.”
As practical advice before winter travel, travelers were told that “comfortable footwear is advised and also a warm jacket/coat.”
However, travel comfort is not an approximation of what attendees should expect.
“Cold food boxes will be distributed on the train, but please be prepared with basic supplies,” the note warned.
and the train itself would be a congested affair, which is far from the train comfortable compartment French President Emmanuel Macron was received last year on a sleeper train to Ukraine: “There will be individual sleeping sofas [sic] Each wagon has a shared toilet, there is no bathroom.
To avoid excursions that take on the scent of class travel, hotel rooms in Kyiv are “booked for day use on Thursdays if allowed to go there before the meetings begin.”
With so much focus on appearances, commuters were reminded that any photo must credibly support – not replace – the political message to be conveyed to EU officials.
The note read, “Please note that during meetings with members of the Government of Ukraine, members of the College will be expected to make an intervention.”