Moments before the diplomatic disaster that saw Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy storm out of the White House, the most significant issue for one of the reporters was Zelenskyy’s attire.
In true ‘bald eagle soaring in the backdrop of stars and stripes’ fashion, a reporter asked Ukrainian President: “Why don’t you wear a suit? Do you own a suit?” Zelenskyy was sporting a black sweatshirt featuring the imagery of a Ukrainian trident .
This qeustion led to chuckles and laughter across the room, which included POTUS Donald Trump, US Vice President JD Vance, and other senior officials.
The Ukrainian President is known for his unique style of clothing. For his first appearance in person at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2022, Zelenskyy sported an olive-green t-shirt. He wore a similar attire while meeting Indian PM Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the UNGA in 2024. Over the years, he had made it a point to not suit up, even for the most important of diplomatic events.
Zelenskyy, who was not a stranger to such ‘priority’ questions during a period of armed tussle with Vladimir Putin’s Russia, quickly shot back to the White House Reporter, “Do you have a problem?”
As if thumping his chest to the tune of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’, the reported responded, “A lot of Americans have a problem with who don’t respect the dress code of the Oval Office,” conveniently forgetting a certain billionaire who was recently spotted waltzing into cabinet meetings in Washington, D.C., in a t-shirt and a baseball cap. And that was exactly what social media users pointed out when C-SPAN posted a clip on the matter.
The Ukrainian President, however, brought the conversation back to what he came to the US for: “I will wear a костюм (read: kostium, Ukrainian for ‘suit’) after this war finishes.”
“Maybe something like yours, yes; maybe something better. I don’t know, we will see. Maybe something cheaper. Thank you,” Zelenskyy added, as if muting the proverbial bagpipes.
Shortly after, VP Vance went on to accuse Zelenskyy of not being “thankful” enough for US support in the Russia-Ukraine war after Putin greenlit the invasion almost three years ago.
Zelenskyy, in return, questioned the diplomacy line being towed by the US with Russia. “Have you ever been to Ukraine?” he asked Vance.
“You are gambling with World War 3… and what you are doing is disrespectful to the country,” Trump added on, before saying “this country”, doubling down on his America First stance. And just like that, in front of the world, diplomatic talks became eye-rolls and debates, with Zelenskyy storming out of the White House.
European leaders, from Emmanuel Macron of France to Friedrich Merz of Germany were quick to take to social media to support their ally Ukraine, following the Zelenskyy-Trump spat. However, it remains that Zelenskyy plans to neither wear a ‘costume’ nor bend to probable lopsided deals any time soon just to appease the ally in the US.