Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swapped his usual military uniform for a formal black suit during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday.
During their lunch in the Cabinet Room, Trump praised Zelensky’s outfit, joking: “I think he looks beautiful in that jacket, yes, beautiful, I hope people notice. It’s good, it’s actually very stylish, I like it.”
The fashion shift marks a departure from Zelensky’s standard military-inspired attire, which he has largely worn since the large-scale Russian invasion of 2022.
It was not the first time that Zelensky modified his appearance
This is not the first time that Zelensky has adjusted his view of Trump. In August, he wore a black formal jacket, shirt and trousers to a meeting with the US president and European officials and received a nod of approval.
“You look fabulous in that suit,” conservative reporter Brian Glenn told Zelensky, the same journalist who criticized him for his outfit in February. “I said the same thing,” Trump added, referring to Glenn.
Their first meeting in February was less cordial. Zelensky’s black polo and military-cut pants reportedly angered Trump and other officials, with some taking it as a sign of disrespect. Trump sarcastically remarked, “everyone dressed up today” when he saw the Ukrainian leader.
Zelensky’s promise and signature jacket
Zelensky explained that he had promised to wear his military uniform until peace returned to Ukraine. His black jacket, designed by Viktor Anisimov of Kyiv, first appeared at Pope Francis’ funeral in April and has since been worn to meetings with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and to the NATO summit in The Hague.
The White House meeting came a day after Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine.
