Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was put on the spot during a press conference on Friday when a reporter asked why he never wears a suit. The reporter asked, “You’re the highest level in this country’s office and you refuse to wear a suit. Just want to see if you do own a suit.”
Zelenskyy, known for his signature military-style clothing, responded by asking the reporter if he had an issue with his outfit. He then added that he would wear a kostium (Ukranian for suit) after the war.
“I don’t have such office. I will wear costume after this war will finish. Yes. Maybe. Maybe something like yours. Yes. Maybe something better. I don’t know. We will see. Maybe something cheaper than this,” the Ukranian President said.
Following the question, Brian Glenn, who asked Zelenskyy the question, took to X to double down on his comment. He reiterated that the Ukrainian president’s “wardrobe is a reflection of his lack of respect for the US.”
His comments came amid a tense visit to Washington, where he met with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Trump appeared to make a pointed remark about Zelenskyy’s attire, greeting him with, “Oh look, he’s all dressed up today!” as the Ukrainian leader, dressed in his usual black sweater, entered the room.
The meeting quickly took a dramatic turn, with Trump berating Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” and abruptly cancelling a minerals deal that had been expected to bring Ukraine closer to securing vital support from the US. The tense exchange reportedly led to Zelenskyy being escorted from the White House by top Trump advisers.
During the heated discussion, Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III” and suggested that Ukraine had not shown enough gratitude for American assistance. Vice President JD Vance also criticised the Ukrainian leader, stating, “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
Zelenskyy, in response, defended his position and warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could not be trusted. “He’s broken his own signature 25 times on ceasefires and other agreements,” he said. Trump, however, dismissed these concerns, stating, “Putin has not broken agreements with me.”
Trump later taking to social media to declared that Zelenskyy was “not ready for peace.” He added, “He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace.”
Zelenskyy later appeared on Fox News, where he described the encounter as “not good for both sides” and reiterated Ukraine’s need for security guarantees before engaging in any peace talks with Russia. “It’s so sensitive for our people,” he said. “They just want to hear that America is on our side, that America will stay with us. Not with Russia, with us. That’s it.”
