White House asks if Zelensky will wear a suit at meeting with Trump
18 August 2025 16:55
Before the scheduled meeting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with US President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., White House officials asked Ukrainian officials whether Zelenskyy would wear a suit. Axios writes about this, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The issue has become sensitive since the March visit, when diplomatic talks were marred by controversy over the Ukrainian leader’s appearance.
Background:
- In March, Trump publicly mocked Zelenskyy’s military style, which U.S. officials said negatively affected the atmosphere of the talks.
- In June, at the NATO summit, Zelenskyy appeared in a jacket for the first time since 2022, which provoked a positive reaction from Trump.
Expectations for Monday’s meeting:
- According to sources, Zelenskyy plans to arrive at the White House in a black jacket, but without a tie.
- One of Trump’s advisers jokingly noted that the suit could be a “sign of peace,” although a formal dress code is not expected in Washington.
A change in tone:
Despite the previous controversy, Trump’s advisers emphasize that the current meeting will have a different tone. According to them, Zelenskyy will not repeat previous mistakes, and Trump himself has become more calm in his response to external stimuli.
Influence on perception: Trump is a supporter of formal appearance for world leaders.
His advisers believe that Zelenskyy’s appearance may affect the tone of the meeting.
