White House asked Ukrainian officials about Zelensky’s outfit ahead of the talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Monday. The meeting carries weight not only for war and diplomacy but also for how the Ukrainian leader chooses to dress.
According to two sources who spoke to Axios, the White House quietly asked Ukrainian officials about Zelensky’s outfit ahead of the talks. What seems like a small matter has now become part of political theatre. His clothing is no longer just a style choice. It is a message, and both Washington and Kyiv know it.
Zelensky’s clothes created tension during his last Oval Office visit in March. At that time, he wore his usual military-style look. Trump appeared unimpressed and made a sarcastic remark, “He is all dressed up today.”
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Later, US officials suggested the clash over his attire helped worsen what became a diplomatic fiasco. For Trump, leaders must look the part, and appearances can affect the tone of a meeting.
This time, Zelensky has chosen a more formal look. Sources say he will wear the same black jacket he wore at a NATO summit in the Netherlands in June. It is a suit-style jacket, though not a full suit, and he will not wear a tie.
The outfit drew praise from Trump at NATO, who reportedly welcomed the more businesslike image. A U.S. official said, “Zelensky came like a normal human being, not crazy, and was dressed like somebody that should be at NATO.”
Trump’s advisers are already joking about the clothing debate. One said it would be “a good sign for peace” if Zelensky wore a suit. Another added, “It would be great if he wore a tie, but we don’t expect him to.”
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Advisers also revealed that Vice President JD Vance, not Trump, was more irritated by the attire issue in March.
Clothes are only part of the story. Advisers say Zelensky has learned how to deal with Trump. He no longer makes the same mistakes as before. A Trump aide admitted, “Give him some credit.
He’s not as bad as he used to be.” Another adviser stressed that the upcoming meeting will not repeat the problems of March. Unlike last time, Zelensky will not show graphic war images or shift blame. Trump, too, has learned to manage irritations and move forward.
This meeting will also have a new setting. Zelensky will not come alone. European leaders will sit alongside him, giving the conversation a broader balance. For Trump, optics matter as much as strategy.
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For Zelensky, attire now carries as much weight as words. His black jacket may not be a full suit, but it represents a careful calculation in diplomacy.
