Outrage over Putin’s £10,000 jacket, £8,800 watch and £605 sneakers
WHILE Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has become famous for his khaki green T-shirt, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin chose a £10,000 Loro Piana jacket for his appearance at a stadium rally last week.
With Russia feeling the impact of sanctions, it is unclear which of Putin’s aides thought it wise for him to don a coat costing 25 times the nation’s average monthly wage.
Putin, who teamed the puffer jacket with a £2,400 roll-neck sweater by Italian brand Kiton, told 200,000 people inside Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium that his invasion of Ukraine was to defend the ‘universal values’ of all Russians.
The high-fashion leader is also a fan of a £8,800 black Blancpain Grande Date Aqua Lung watch, and has been spotted in a £605 pair of Loro Piana suede trim sneakers.
One critic wrote on Twitter: ‘While Russian people are fighting for food in stores, Putin addressed Russians wearing a Loro Piana jacket worth 1.5million roubles.’
Putin’s physique looked bulky during the speech, sparking speculation he was wearing a bullet-proof jacket under the coat. There were also claims that much of the crowd were paid or coerced to be there.
By contrast, President Zelensky’s decision to opt for a T-shirt has forged a connection with Ukrainians – although not everyone is pleased. After Zelensky’s recent appearance via videolink before the US Congress, economist Peter Schiff, who once stood as a Republican senator candidate, tweeted: ‘I understand times are hard, but doesn’t the President own a suit?’