PARIS — The French have long been known as trendsetters and purveyors of fine fashion, but it appears that President Emmanuel Macron has started taking style tips from the most in-vogue European leader.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has become an instantly recognisable figure amid the Russian invasion of his country, and has spent the past three weeks clad in simple khaki hoodies, jackets and t-shirts as he co-ordinates his country's defences.

The Ukrainian leader has understandably ditched the suit and tie that would typically befit a head of state for more utilitarian attire as he splits his time between the presidential palace and the streets of war-torn Kyiv.

Yet new pictures have emerged of Macron - arguably the EU's most clean-cut figure who is seldom seen wearing anything other than an immaculate fitted suit, coiffed hair and a clean shave - sat behind a desk in the Elysee palace sporting a dark hoodie, jeans and a face full of stubble.

The French leader is barely recognisable upon first glance at the images, his baggy black hoodie a stark departure from his preferred slim navy jacket.

The snaps, taken in Golden Room of the Élysée Palace in Paris which doubles as Macron's office, show him seemingly hard at work on Sunday, fielding calls from international leaders in poses that bare a striking resemblance to images of Zelensky preparing to speak with media or deliver a stirring video address from his office in the Ukrainian capital.

Released this morning by Soazig De La Moissonnière, Macron's official photographer, the images were well received on social media by her followers, who applauded the seemingly candid shots of the President going about his business.

But others have accused Macron of curating the 'war-room' style photos as a marketing ploy, piggybacking off Zelensky's popularity and trying to appear more relatable.

Until now, Macron has been a perpetually well-dressed character and has long been presented as the ultimate statesman who wouldn't dare to be caught out of his suit and tie even while off-duty.

The French leader is seen suited and booted in almost every single photo shared of him by the world's media and his personal photographer alike. — Agencies