# Interpretation of Russian Foreign Minister’s Attire # [Russian Foreign Minister’s Sportswear Triggers Interpretation] # Interpretation of Russian Foreign Minister Wearing a Sports Jacket # After a week of preparation and intense negotiations among various parties, Russian President Putin and US President Trump held a one-on-one meeting on the 15th local time (16th Beijing time) in Anchorage, Alaska. Many media outlets noticed that Lavrov arrived in Alaska on the 15th wearing a sports shirt with the word “Soviet” on it, which triggered different interpretations.
The Russian newspaper “Viewpoint” reported that Russian political scientist Alexei Martynov believed that Lavrov’s attire was first and foremost a reflection of the bilateral relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States in the 20th century, and also suggested that there was a possibility of a successful agreement at this summit, similar to that of Brezhnev and Nixon in the past. In addition, Lavrov worked at the Soviet Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York during his youth and visited Alaska, so this attire may also have personal nostalgia significance.
Western media interpreted this as a “provocative act” by Russia. The UK’s “Guardian” claimed that Lavrov’s choice of attire reflected the long-term advocacy of the Kremlin, with critics accusing them of embracing Soviet imperialistic ideas. CNN stated that Lavrov’s attire evoked memories of Russia’s “golden age” as a great power during the Cold War, which was somewhat like the Kremlin’s version of “making Russia great again.” Reports also mentioned that due to a lack of hotel rooms in Anchorage, the Kremlin staff had to stay in temporary accommodation at the Alaska Air Center stadium, with many complaints about “poor conditions.”
On the 15th, Trump expressed on “Air Force One” that he went to Alaska not to represent Ukraine to make a deal, but to bring Putin to the negotiating table. He stated that he heard Putin had brought many business people to Alaska, “I like this.” Some analysts believe that Trump’s statement indicates that his real purpose is to normalize political and economic relations between the United States and Russia. (Special Correspondent Sui Xin from Russia for Global Times ● Yu Wen)