August M
Russia turns US defence secretary’s tie into strategic talking point
Russia turns US defence secretary’s tie into strategic talking point
Trump ally dons Russia‑coloured tie at Zelensky meeting
According to The Express, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth drew attention when he arrived at the White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a tie featuring white, blue and red stripes—colours that resemble the Russian flag and triggered a wave of alleged diplomatic mis‑steps.
Kremlin seizes on the optics
The Express reports that state‑owned Russian news agency TASS gleefully highlighted Hegseth’s tie, stating it “stood out” because the stripe sequence mirrored Russia’s tricolour rather than the US design.
Their narrative painted the choice as a symbolic blunder.
Hegseth’s wardrobe under scrutiny
During the same meeting on October 17, 2025, Hegseth paired the controversial tie with a pocket‑square patterned like the American flag.
The Express notes the Combination heightened speculation about whether the colours were deliberate or a diplomatic mis‑step.
Mixed messages in Trump’s diplomacy
The Express says that following the tie incident, Vice President J. D. Vance attempted to downplay the symbolism, writing on X: “Or maybe he was wearing the colours of America.”
Russia tables the narrative
According to The Express, Dmitriev shared an image of Hegseth’s tie on social media, captioned with a Russian‑flag emoji.
Ukraine left watching the optics
President Zelenskyy’s visit ended with no firm commitments from the US.
Silence fuels speculation
Pete Hegseth has not commented on his choice of tie. His outfit also featured a pocket square patterned like the American flag, but the tie’s red, blue, and white stripes — in that specific order — continued to draw scrutiny in the wake of the high-stakes meeting.
When symbolism sparks backlash
What might have been a minor fashion detail quickly turned into a headline. Russian state media amplified the moment, interpreting it as a diplomatic signal.
The incident highlights how even subtle optics can carry weight — especially in tense international settings.
This article is made and published by auk1, which may have used AI in the preparation
