Newsroom
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House on Monday in a sharply tailored black suit, signaling a shift in approach from his tense February meeting with former President Donald Trump.
The earlier encounter, which featured Zelensky in his signature military-style attire, devolved into a public confrontation over Ukraine’s diplomacy with Russia. Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky as ungrateful, and the discussion sparked global attention, in part due to the Ukrainian leader’s casual outfit, which contrasted with Trump’s formal gold-accented office aesthetic.
This time, Zelensky’s change of clothes drew praise rather than derision. Brian Glenn, a pro-Trump pundit who had mocked the outfit in February, complimented the Ukrainian leader. Zelensky responded with a quip: “You are in the same suit. I changed, you did not.” Trump joined in, noting the previous tension.
Zelensky has been coached by European leaders on managing interactions with Trump, and he has worn more formal attire at NATO meetings and at the Vatican. Ahead of Monday’s visit, Ukrainian and U.S. officials agreed the military-style garb would not be appropriate.
The day’s discussions touched on security guarantees for Ukraine and prospects for a potential meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky suggested the U.S. could provide $90 billion in military aid, including aviation and missile defense systems, while the U.S. would also purchase Ukrainian drones to boost domestic production. No formal agreements were announced.
European leaders attending the joint press event, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, pushed for a ceasefire, though Zelensky remained cautious in public remarks. He emphasized that less than 1% of Ukrainian territory has been occupied in the past 1,000 days, a detail he said surprised Trump during their private discussions.
The meeting marked a stark contrast to Zelensky’s previous Oval Office visit. The Ukrainian leader described the encounter as “warm” and appeared intent on maintaining optimism and avoiding confrontation. Analysts say the engagement buys Ukraine time and strengthens its position with both the U.S. and European allies.
With information from CNN and BBC.
