After February’s dress code fiasco, Zelensky finally suits up for Trump-led peace push

The last time Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House, his dark military-style outfit drew scorn from US President Donald Trump, who wears suits every day.

Zelensky’s attire at that February meeting was featured in a disastrous session with Trump, in which the two leaders bickered and the Ukrainian president was escorted out of the White House early, without lunch.

On Monday, with his country facing pressure to accept a peace deal to end Europe’s deadliest war in 80 years, Zelensky showed up for his talks with Trump wearing more formal attire. 

The black-on-black ensemble, sans tie, wasn’t exactly a suit, but it seemed to please Trump nonetheless.

A reporter who had asked Zelensky in February why he was not wearing a suit complimented the Ukrainian leader on the attire he chose for his latest Oval Office session with Trump.

“You look fabulous in that suit,” the reporter said.

Trump chimed in: “I said the same thing.”

This time, Zelensky got in a good-natured dig.

“You’re wearing the same suit,” he told the reporter, drawing laughter. “I changed.”

The media-savvy Ukrainian leader had worn military-type outfits to show solidarity with the troops fighting Russian invaders since Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion.

But after the February meeting with Trump, Zelensky switched to a more formal wardrobe. 

When the two leaders met at Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome in April, the Ukrainian president wore a heavy black field jacket and a black shirt buttoned to the collar, with no tie.

The negative focus on Zelenskiy’s attire at the White House was widely criticised at the time by Ukrainians, who have largely rallied around their leader since Moscow’s invasion.