In May 2025, a picture of the requirements for photographers illuminating the work of the Ukrainian president was spread. We checked the reliability of this image.
On May 16, on the day of negotiations of the delegations of Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, a photograph of a document appeared on the network allegedly explaining how to shoot Vladimir Zelensky. Basically, the rules from the instructions prohibit focusing on its low growth, as well as publish pictures that "can be used for memes." The authors of the viral posts indicate that the instructions for reporters were handed out by the press service of the President of Ukraine before negotiations in Istanbul.
Photo of leaflets posted Telegram channels "Solovyov"(262,000 views at the time of writing this analysis),"KB"(261 000),"Putin in Telegram"(188 000),"Russia now • News"(176 000),"Voblya • News"(135,000) and others, as well as publications Topnews, Pressa24, Abzatz.media And "Evening Moscow".
May 15, 2025 President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky Arrived In Ankara, in order to meet with his Turkish colleague Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His visit was dedicated to resuming direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, which took place the next day in Istanbul - this was the first meeting of the delegations of the two countries over the past three years. Initially, the possibility of negotiations at the highest level was considered, and Zelensky expressed his readiness to meet with Vladimir Putin. However, when it became known that the President of Russia will not fly to Turkey, Zelensky also Refused From personal participation in negotiations with the Russian Federation, but sent a delegation to Istanbul. The Ukrainian leader himself Flapped In Albania, where on May 16 the Summit of the European Political Community took place.
In the posts that the press service of Zelensky handed out instructions for photographing the politician to reporters, a picture of the corresponding leaflet is used as evidence. It is a simple sheet of paper with text in English under the heading: "Requirements when photographing the events in which Vladimir Zelensky takes part." The following is the date and place - Istanbul, on May 15, 2025. The requirements themselves mainly come down to ensure that the politician seem to be higher in the photo: for example, the authors prohibit the removal of it from a low corner (which is strange, because this technique is UsedTo make the object in the photo seem more) or next to higher people, and also insist on preliminary coordination of group filming with other politicians. At the end of the list, its alleged author-the press service is indicated-without additional clarifications.
There are several questions to the authenticity of such evidence. Firstly, it looks suspicious that it is not written on the document whose press service distributed such leaflets, and there are also no other identification marks (for example, a logo, seal or signature). Secondly, the instructions indicate the date and place of its issuance to reporters-May 15, Istanbul. However, at this time Zelensky He was In Ankara in negotiations with Erdogan. May 16, when the delegations of Russia and Ukraine arrived in Istanbul, the Ukrainian president has already was In Albania. The press service of the politician was probably aware of his plans, so it is strange that such leaflets were allegedly handed out in Istanbul, and not in Ankara or Tirana. Finally, a visit to Turkey - Not the first Foreign trip Zelensky. If the press service of the politician really disseminates among journalists some recommendations on how to photograph him, it is unclear why they appeared on the Web only now.
Among other things, the authors of many photographs of Zelensky taken during his trips to Turkey and Albania clearly violated the rules indicated on the leaflet - for example, they shot it from below or next to higher politicians. Moreover, such pictures are published on the site Office of the President of Ukrainewho, according to viral posts, participated in the preparation of this instruction.
The audited publications claim that all journalists who illuminated negotiations in Istanbul received the document. On May 15 and 16, numerous employees worked near the Palace of Dolmabakhche, where the delegations of Russia and Ukraine met. Turkish, European, Ukrainian And Russian publications, however, none of them shared another photo of the instruction and did not report its receipt.
It is noteworthy that RT told About this leaflet on his English -language page on the social network X with reference to the journalist Ben Swan, who was not present in Istanbul, although their correspondent Konstantin Prudylo, who covered negotiations, in his Telegram channel I did not report this.
The authors of some publications refer to a military photographer Evgenia Kel And his Telegram channel “Notes of the Photo Association”, which allegedly shared this instruction first. However, the cell, judging by his posts on social networks, was not present in Istanbul, and the photograph itself appeared on the network a few hours earlier. The first post to be found "verified" was placed In the Telegram channel "Feeling News" on May 15 at 13:28 Moscow time, an hour after Zelensky arrived in Ankara. It is unlikely that the press service of the Ukrainian president could in such a short time prepare and distribute leaflets to reporters, also in another city. Previously, the Channel "Nonal News" already mentioned In the analysis of "tested" as a disinformation distributor.
The photo of the instruction has widely spread over the network in different languages. She gained particular popularity in X, where some posts We scored tens of thousands of views. And the Irish publicist who is working with RT even Bowz even reported: "Several colleagues confirmed the authenticity of the picture." However, who these colleagues were, he did not specify.
Thus, there is no evidence that the press service of Zelensky distributed instructions in Istanbul on how to photograph the policy.
Photo on the cover: social networks
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