The US President is hosting his Ukrainian counterpart and European leaders at the White House on Monday (Tuesday AEST) to discuss a path to end the Russia-Ukraine war, following his weekend summit with Vladimir Putin.
Mr Zelensky, who is known for wearing military-type outfits to show solidarity with Ukrainian troops, was quickly complimented by Mr Trump as he stepped out of a car in a black suit-style jacket and a black buttoned shirt.
“I don’t believe it … I love it!” Mr Trump said he shook hands with the Ukrainian leader.
“This is the best I had,” said Mr Zelensky.
Donald Trump was quick to praise Volodymyr Zelensky on his choice of outfit. Picture: X
Mr Zelensky was wearing a black suit-style jacket and a black buttoned shirt. Picture: X
A short time later, Mr Trump again took the opportunity to praise Mr Zelensky’s choice of attire when a reporter – who berated Mr Zelensky for not wearing a suit during his White House visit six months ago – complimented the accusing President.
“President Zelensky, you look fabulous in that suit. You look good,” Brian Glenn, the chief White House correspondent of conservative outlet Real America’s Voice, said at a press conference in the Oval Office.
“I said the same thing,” Mr Trump quipped.
Donald Trump hosted his Ukrainian counterpart to the White House on Monday. Picture: Alex Rroblewski / AFP
A reporter who earlier berated Mr Zelensky for not wearing a suit prised his “fabulous” outfit. Picture: Mandel Ngsn AFP
“Isn’t that nice? That’s the one that attacked you last time, now he’s nice,” he told Mr Zelensky.
“I remember that!” Mr Zelensky said, offering a smile.
“I apologise to you, you look wonderful,” said Mr Glenn.
“You are in the same suit. I changed, you did not,” Mr Zelensky said as the room erupted into laughter.
Mr Glenn questioned why Mr Zelensky wasn’t wearing a suit during his visit to Washington in February.
“Why don’t you wear a suit?” he asked at the time. “You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse to wear a suit.
“Do you own a suit?” he added. “A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting the dignity of this office.”
Mr Zelensky defended himself, saying: “I will wear costume after this war will finish.”
The word “suit” can be translated into Ukrainian as “kostyum”.
“Maybe something like yours, yes. Maybe something better, I don’t know,” Mr Zelensky added as the room laughed. “Maybe something cheaper.”
Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and JD Vance met at the Oval Office on February 28. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP
During the meeting, Vice President JD Vance publicly berated Mr Zelensky, accusing him of disrespecting America.
In extraordinary remarks, Mr Trump said Mr Zelensky needed to “be grateful”, told him “you don’t have the cards”, and demanded he “make a deal” with Russia “or we’re out”.
Six months on, the two leaders sat down for much more cordial talks at the White House, with Mr Zelensky thanking Mr Trump for his “personal efforts to stop killings and stop this war”.
The pair also sat down with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Finland, as well as NATO chief Mark Rutte and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.
“I think if everything works out well today we’ll have a trilat, and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that,” Mr Trump said.
Leave a Reply