Following a February meeting labeled a "diplomatic disaster," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to the White House on 18/8 with a different look. Instead of his usual military-style garb, which had sparked much discussion, Zelensky appeared in a more statesmanlike outfit: a black jacket, black shirt, and black trousers.

"I like it," US President Donald Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart, expressing his satisfaction with Zelensky's new style.

Trump's seemingly casual compliment was actually quite significant, observers noted. The February White House meeting quickly became tense as the two leaders clashed. At the time, Brian Glenn, a US reporter for Real America’s Voice, criticized Zelensky for not wearing a suit.

"Why aren’t you in a suit? You’re in the highest office in this country and you refuse to wear a suit? Do you own a suit? A lot of Americans find it disrespectful to the solemnity of this office," Glenn said.

President Zelensky (left) meeting with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the White House on 28/2. Photo: AFP

President Zelensky (left) meeting with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the White House on 28/2. Photo: AFP

Glenn's comment to the Ukrainian leader made US Vice President JD Vance laugh, but he later also criticized Zelensky for disrespecting President Trump.

Although Zelensky said he would wear a suit "after the war ends," many believed the tension over his attire contributed to the meeting's failure. Trump, known for valuing appearances, saw it as a sign of disrespect from the leader of a smaller nation seeking US aid.

Some administration officials viewed Zelensky's clothing as symbolic of his refusal to yield to the White House. The meeting ended with Trump criticizing Ukraine as "ungrateful" for US support and "gambling with World War III." Other bilateral talks that day were canceled, and Zelensky was asked to leave the White House.

Since the conflict with Russia began in late 2/2022, Zelensky has mainly worn military-style clothing, such as brown and olive t-shirts, camouflage, and army boots. This style is informal, reflecting his belief that wartime leaders shouldn't be overly concerned with appearances. However, this approach has sometimes proved disadvantageous for him and Ukraine.

He made some adjustments after the White House clash. At Pope Francis's funeral in April, he wore a black overcoat over an all-black outfit. In June, at the NATO summit in the Netherlands, he wore a black blazer over a black collared shirt, trousers, and army boots.

Choosing an outfit for the 18/8 White House meeting with Trump presented a challenge for Zelensky. Sticking to his military style risked angering the US president, but dressing too formally would contradict his earlier statement about only wearing a suit after the war.

Two sources told Axios that the White House asked Ukrainian officials beforehand whether Zelensky would wear a suit. Some of Trump's advisors joked that it would be a "signal for peace" if the Ukrainian leader dressed formally.

Ukrainian designer Viktor Anisimov seemingly solved this dilemma with subtle alterations to the jacket Zelensky wore on 18/8. Anisimov added slits in the back and sleeves to "slightly change the president’s image in a more civilian style while maintaining military features."

President Trump and President Zelensky (right) at the White House. Photo: AP

President Trump and President Zelensky (right) at the White House. Photo: AP

The Kyiv Post and Ukraine Elle noted that while Zelensky's attire wasn't a full suit and remained dark, it was more formal than his usual clothing, demonstrating greater respect for the US leader.

Some observers felt the black outfit reflected the somber situation in Ukraine while maintaining his wartime leader image.

"While more formal than what he's worn before, it still suggests that not all is well in that part of the world," said Jacob Neiheisel, a political science professor at the University at Buffalo, comparing Zelensky's attire to Winston Churchill's wartime suits.

"Given the criticism he received from the Trump administration in the previous meeting regarding his attire, I believe Zelensky is signaling a willingness to bend a bit to tradition for the benefit of his country," Neiheisel added.

The 18/8 White House meeting was crucial for Zelensky and Kyiv, as Trump recently shifted his stance to support a comprehensive peace agreement rather than a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump had just held a reportedly successful summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska the previous weekend.

President Trump agrees as a reporter compliments Zelensky's attire at the White House. Video: X/RapidResponse47

Zelensky's change seemed effective. In addition to Trump's praise, reporter Glenn also commented positively on the Ukrainian leader's outfit.

"Mr. President Zelensky, you look fantastic in that suit. You look great," Glenn said.

The US president added that he had told the Ukrainian leader the same thing. "Isn't that great? That’s the guy that blasted you last time," Trump said, pointing at Glenn.

The Ukrainian president responded wittily. "But you’re in the same suit. You see, I’ve changed, you haven’t," Zelensky told Glenn, drawing laughter from the room.

Thuy Lam (According to WSJ, Washington Post, Independent)