A train full of EU officials is preparing to arrive in Ukraine on Thursday, in Brussels, for the Ukraine-EU summit. Under these conditions, an internal memo was sent to European officials to prepare for the trip, which contains clear instructions, including on the dress code, as clothing can send a message, POLITICO writes, News.ro reports.

This is a truth that politicians are afraid to admit, but in their work, photo shoots and the symbolism they convey are often as important as the actual politics. This may explain why, shortly before the EU finalized the agenda and guest list for the upcoming Ukrainian summit, when a number of EU officials will hold talks with Ukrainian leaders, an internal message was circulated with a clear message: there is a dress code.

Recommended: “Business casual” (or as you arrive in Brussels). Excludes: “Green, khaki, or too bright colors” (also rare in the European Quarter). That’s the gist of an internal memo seen by POLITICO regarding the outfit.

The reason for the note, sent as recently as last week, is apparently an attempt to maintain a military look for the hosts and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, who has made the military green T-shirt his ubiquitous uniform during the war. Those in charge of organizing in the EU are probably well aware that this is a style that suits those fighting a brutal Russian invasion, but perhaps less so for a European commissioner, comments POLITICO.

A note sent by the General Secretariat of the European Commission, which is strictly responsible for logistics and protocol services for the trip, did not explain the ban on bright colors for the occasion, but EU diplomats said it was in line with European expectations. do not exaggerate the image and remain consistent with the political message. Ultimately, the EU may have to disappoint Ukraine on difficult issues, such as its desire to quickly join the bloc.

Previously, EU officials found ways to demonstrate their solidarity with Ukraine. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during her annual address to the European Union, was dressed in a bright yellow and blue outfit that mirrors the Ukrainian flag. And other women in the European Commission have publicly joined their boss, thus making a statement of solidarity through fashion, POLITICO reminds us.

Be that as it may, there will be few chances for a change of attitude during the upcoming Ukraine-EU summit, which will be held on Thursday and Friday in Kyiv – simply because there is no time and place.

“Please travel with light luggage (backpack or similar), avoiding suitcases if possible,” the message reads. “Since the exact travel time cannot be predicted, it is desirable to be prepared to go directly from the train to the meeting on arrival if necessary,” the document continued.

“Please be prepared for basic food items”

As a practical tip, as this is a winter trip, travelers were told that “comfortable footwear is recommended, as well as a warm jacket/coat”.

It is intended that participants should expect limited comfort during the trip. “Boxes of cold food will be distributed on the train, but please prepare for basic products,” the note warns.

The train itself will be quite crowded, in any case, far from the comfortable compartment that French President Emmanuel Macron received in the sleeper train in which he traveled to Ukraine last year: “There will be individual couches with a shared toilet. each carriage, without bathrooms,” the note says.

So that the trip does not become something like a group trip, hotel rooms have been reserved in Kyiv “for use during the day on Thursday, if there is time to go there before the meetings start,” the report notes.

With such a focus on appearance, travelers are reminded that any photo should authentically support, not replace, the political message that EU officials have to convey. “Please note that during meetings with members of the Ukrainian government, members of the Collegium are expected to intervene if necessary,” reads the instruction, which was seen by POLITICO.

The Ukraine-EU summit will be held in Kyiv on Friday. A “strong signal” was sent to Moscow.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal two days ago confirmed the organization of the Ukraine-EU summit on Friday in Kyiv, which he said should send a “strong signal” to Moscow almost a year after the start of the Russian invasion, AFP reports.

The summit is an important moment a few months after Kyiv received the status of an official candidate for the European Union.

“The fact that this summit is being held in Kyiv is a strong signal for both our partners and our enemies,” Shmyhal said during the government meeting, adding that “let’s expect a positive interim assessment of our integration efforts from the summit.”

Two days with strong diplomatic implications should allow “Europe to believe in the victory of Ukraine”, he insisted.