The question is buzzing around the political circles – will Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wear a suit and tie during his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office? According to reports, Zelensky is expected to wear a “suit-style” jacket during the meeting, scheduled for Monday afternoon in Washington, D.C., alongside top European leaders.
The White House reportedly inquired in advance whether Zelensky would be dressed in formal attire, a notable shift after his last visit to the White House ended in a heated confrontation.
When Donald Trump Mocked Zelensky’s Military Attire
During Zelensky’s prior visit to the West Wing, Trump made light of his usual military-style clothing, telling reporters, “he’s all dressed up today.” According to the report, the Ukrainian leader will wear the same black jacket he sported at the NATO summit in the Netherlands in June.
That appearance was significant, as it marked the first time Zelensky had adopted a business-style look since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The choice reportedly impressed Trump.
Trump Advisors Joke About Zelensky’s Fashion
A Trump advisor told Axios that Zelensky’s outfit could send a hopeful signal.
“It would be a good sign for peace if he dressed up on Monday, but we don’t expect him to do it.” “It would be great if he wore a tie, but we don’t expect him to.”
However, the Ukrainian leader will not wear a tie for Monday’s meeting, the sources said.
JD Vance Reportedly More Irritated Than Trump For Zelensky’s Attire
While Trump publicly joked about Zelensky’s attire in the past, reports suggest Vice President JD Vance was more visibly annoyed by the Ukrainian leader’s refusal to wear a tie. That detail emerged from Zelensky’s last White House visit, which descended into a shouting match.
Trump’s irritation during the previous Oval Office encounter reportedly stemmed from more than fashion. One advisor told Axios, “They’ve traveled very, very far, both of them. Zelensky will not show him pictures of dead children and then act like it’s somehow his fault. The president has learned to just sort of like, you know, file away any irritations and go forward.”
Trump-Zelensky Meeting Follows Trump-Putin Talks
Zelensky will attend Monday’s meeting alongside neighboring European leaders in a show of unity. The talks are scheduled for 3 p.m. EST and come just days after Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
