Key Points
- Six months ago Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was questioned over why he doesn't wear a suit.
- He wore a suit-style outfit while meeting US President Donald Trump.
- Trump's manner on-camera was much warmer to Zelenskyy this time.
The last time US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in the White House, Zelenskyy was berated by a journalist over his fashion choices.
"Why don't you wear a suit? You're at the highest level in this country's office, and you refuse to wear a suit," said reporter Brian Glenn from right-wing media outlet Real America's Voice.
At Monday's meeting, six months later, the reception was vastly different. Donning a black jacket over a collared black shirt with no tie, Zelenskyy emerged from a vehicle to shake hands with Trump.
"Mr President, the best I have," Zelenskyy told Trump of his outfit.
"I love it," Trump said.
Zelenskyy sat down with Trump for a bilateral meeting at the White House to discuss paths to ending the war in Ukraine. The leaders were in a much friendlier mood than they were during their heated exchange in March, but it has yet to lead to any firm outcomes.
But as talks with European leaders continue, Zelenskyy's changing attire has taken centre stage. The Ukrainian president, who vowed in 2022 that he would not go back to wearing a suit and tie until the war is over, is embracing a new sartorial style that reflects the leader's diplomatic efforts to secure a peace deal for Ukraine.
What happened at the last meeting?
At their last meeting in March, Zelenskyy wore a black long-sleeve Henley-style shirt with a Ukrainian crest and combat trousers. Trump commented on Zelenskyy's appearance as he arrived.
"You're all dressed up today," Trump said sarcastically.
When his clothing choices were pointed out again during the meeting, Zelenskyy told Trump and the media: "I will wear a costume after this war will finish."
The exchange was one part of the heated meeting between the two leaders, which ultimately led to the cancellation of the signing of a critical minerals agreement.
At the time, associate professor Matthew Sussex from the Centre for European Studies at the Australian National University told SBS News the meeting was "the most extraordinary display of attempts at public humiliation I think that we've ever seen out of American diplomacy".
Zelenskyy adopts a 'suit-style'
Several US news outlets are reporting that White House officials inquired about Zelenskyy's fashion choices ahead of this latest meeting.
Ukrainian officials reportedly told the White House that Zelenskyy would be wearing the same suit he wore to a NATO summit in the Netherlands in June.
"It is going to be 'suit-style' but not a full suit," one of the sources is reported to have said.
Since the March meeting, Kyiv-based designer Viktor Anisimov was commissioned by Zelenskyy's team to create a capsule of formal attire exclusively for the president. The collection features turtlenecks, field jackets and coats all made from natural fibres and all made in Ukraine.
The goal was "to create a restrained, functional, and dignified image that reflects the reality of the time our country is living through", Anisimov told fashion industry website Women's Wear Daily.
Zelenskyy wore the jacket to the funeral of Pope Francis in April and the NATO summit in the Netherlands in June. It appears that Zelenskyy wore the jacket again to Tuesday's meeting with Trump.
'You look fabulous'
At Monday's meeting, the same reporter who questioned Zelenskyy's clothing style in March spoke up again.
"First of all President Zelenskyy, you look fabulous in that suit," Glenn commented.
Trump responded: "I said the same thing".
"I apologise to you, you look wonderful," the reporter said.
Zelenskyy took the opportunity to tell the reporter that his suit was unchanged.
"But you are in the same suit. I changed, you are not."
NBC is reporting that Zelenskyy will remain in Washington DC for a few more days.
