What is the story behind the Soviet jacket that Lavrov wore at the Alaska summit?

In his first comment on the controversy sparked by his appearance in Alaska wearing a white jacket bearing the logo "СССР" (the Soviet Union), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed his astonishment at the media uproar, affirming that what he wore is merely "part of Russia's history" and "a popular trend among university students."

Lavrov stated during a television interview on the evening of Tuesday, August 19, that "some fabricated news out of nothing. There is nothing unusual about wearing clothes from the Soviet Union era. We have many outfits that carry symbols from that period, and this is part of our history."

He added: "If I may say, this fashion has recently started to spread among university students in Moscow."

Lavrov drew attention upon his arrival in Alaska on August 15 to attend the Russian-American summit, where he wore a white jacket with the "СССР" logo under a sleeveless black puffy jacket, in a scene that some considered a symbolic message directed at the former Soviet republics.

The controversial jacket was worn by the veteran minister, who is 75 years old and has held his position in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for over two decades.

The German news agency "DPA" reported that Russian observers said Lavrov's choice of clothing might carry symbolic significance and could be a message directed at the former Soviet republics, especially in light of the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

It is worth noting that Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, was one of the Soviet republics until its independence in 1991.

Regardless of the potential political messages, it seems that Lavrov's choice was not out of local context, as clothing bearing symbols from the Soviet era is increasingly popular in Russia, especially among young people who see it as a blend of history, identity, and fashion.