Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a pointed remark on Sunday about his decision to forgo a suit at the White House, following his tense encounter with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a video shared by the Ukrainian presidency, Zelensky, speaking at an awards ceremony, ended his speech with a lighthearted comment: “Sorry I’m not in a suit,” drawing smiles and applause from the audience.
Dressed in his signature black outfit adorned with Ukraine’s trident symbol, Zelensky’s attire was similar to what he wore during his contentious meeting with Trump last month.
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, the Ukrainian leader has abandoned formal suits for military-style clothing, reinforcing his nation’s ongoing struggle.
However, during the Oval Office meeting, a right-wing journalist, Brian Glenn, mocked Zelensky’s choice of attire, asking why he was not wearing a suit. Zelensky’s response was firm yet weary: “I will wear (a suit) after this war finishes.” The moment quickly went viral online.
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Reports from Axios suggest that Trump was irritated by Zelensky’s casual outfit, having been advised by his team that wearing a suit would be more “respectful.” Upon meeting the Ukrainian leader, Trump sarcastically commented, “He is all dressed up today,” before launching into a sharp critique.
The heated interaction did not go unnoticed. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, speaking on Russian state television, expressed astonishment at the conversation, drawing comparisons to ancient diplomatic practices.
“Being a diplomat by profession, I could not believe my eyes, nor my ears,” Peskov remarked, suggesting that such confrontational exchanges had not been seen since “ancient times,” when visiting rulers were either imprisoned or executed.
The incident has further fueled tensions surrounding U.S.-Ukraine relations, as Zelensky continues to seek international support for his country’s war efforts against Russia.