Prehistoric Meeting at the Oval Office: Will Zelensky Wear a Suit in Response to Past Remarks and What Do U.S. Officials Expect?
Ahead of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky’s highly anticipated meeting with U.S.
President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, questions once again arose regarding the Ukrainian leader’s appearance.
According to sources, including Axios, the White House has been actively interested in whether Zelensky will appear in a suit or opt for casual attire during this critical encounter.
This concern is not trivial—during their previous meeting in the same space, the conversation ended in diplomatic disappointment, largely due to Zelensky’s choice to wear military-style clothing, which drew sarcastic remarks from Trump.
The then-president remarked sarcastically: “He dressed very sharply today,” which some believe impacted the tone of their talks.
U.S.
officials indicate that Zelensky plans to dress similarly to his NATO summit attire in the Netherlands this June—a dark jacket, without a full suit but aligned with business style.
This look was his first formal appearance post-invasion in 2022, and American officials expressed satisfaction with this appearance, noting that it portrayed a more presidential image.
Meanwhile, an unnamed Trump advisor suggested that it would be a good sign for peace if Zelensky showed up in a suit on Monday, though most do not expect this to happen.
Another official emphasized that expectations are higher now regarding whether Zelensky will wear a tie or full suit, viewing such attire as a sign of respect for diplomatic protocols.
Zelensky has not worn traditional suits since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine started; former Polish President Andrzej Duda even urged Zelensky to wear a suit at upcoming summits to symbolically signify the end of the war.
During a previous encounter in February, Zelensky announced he would not wear a suit until the war ends, citing respect for the ongoing conflict.
However, it appears that diplomatic and international standards now necessitate a formal appearance, and the upcoming White House visit will reflect this evolution.
Many analysts believe that whether Zelensky dons a suit or not, the critical factors remain the substance of negotiations and steps toward peace and stability.
Ultimately, this meeting could prove pivotal for Ukraine-U.S.
relations, where symbolic gestures like attire still carry significance, but concrete actions will define the future.