Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s heated White House exchange with US President Donald Trump has shocked the world, but it appeared to go downhill before he even stepped into the room
Before Volodymyr Zelensky’s gratitude for US support was questioned in the Oval Office on Friday, another point of contention came before he even entered the room.
The Ukrainian president joined US President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance at the White House to sign a deal on sharing his country’s mineral resources. However, he left empty-handed after the meeting descended into a heated attack on Zelensky, with Trump accusing him of being “disrespectful” for pushing for security guarantees.
But it has since transpired that things got off on the wrong foot before the meeting even started. Tensions flew when Zelensky pulled up in his car and was greeted by Trump, who quipped: “You’re all dressed up today”.
Mr Zelensky has long favoured a black sweatshirt adorned with the Ukrainian trident over button-down shirts and formal ties. This was even the case when he addressed world leaders at the start of the Russian invasion in 2022.
He has previously explained that his decision to ditch formal attire is to show solidarity with the soldiers on the frontline, who are putting their lives at risk for his country. Despite the sentiment, it has become leverage for critics of the US’s aid to Ukraine, and was brought back into the spotlight again amid Friday’s bullying.
One US reporter in the room accused him of being disrespectful for not wearing a suit, which according to BBC reporters present, caused a notable shift in the atmosphere. Brian Glenn, Chief White House correspondent for Real America’s Voice, a conservative cable network, probed: “Why don’t you wear a suit? You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse to wear a suit.”
He continued: “Do you own a suit? A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting the dignity of this office.” It sparked the first sign of irritation from Zelensky, who had until then, been having an amicable conversation with the US President, according to insiders.
“I will wear a costume after this war ends,” Zelensky replied. ‘Kostyum’ in Ukrainian can be translated as ‘suit’ in English. Following the confrontation, Glenn shared online that while he had “extreme empathy for the people of Ukraine,” Zelensky’s lack of a suit demonstrated “his inner disrespect” for the US.
However the remark was met with defence, with people online sharing photos of Winston Churchill wearing casual clothing during World War Two. He too wore military uniforms during meetings with world leaders, and one image in particular shows the former British Prime Minister wearing jumpsuit-like attire when meeting with then-US President Franklin Roosevelt.
While the conference on Friday moved swiftly on, at the end of one question, Trump brought the suit question back up. He protested: “I do like your clothing” before pointing and adding: “I think he’s dressed beautifully.”
However away from the cameras, Trump’s attitude was reportedly different. US news outlet Axios alleged that before the meeting, Zelensky was requested to wear a suit by White House officials, who are said to have been offended by his refusal to comply.
In the final minutes of the meeting, a shouting match erupted, shocking the world as thousands watched on. The exchange saw the frustrated Ukrainian president lectured by Mr Trump and JD Vance over what they saw as his lack of gratitude for previous US support.
“You’re gambling with millions of people … You’re gambling with World War Three,” Trump told Zelensky of his attempts to resist the Russian invasion. In a series of posts on X on Saturday, the Ukrainian president said his people are “very grateful to the United States for all the support”, and specifically thanked Trump and Congress alongside the ‘American people’.
“Our relationship with the American President is more than just two leaders: It’s a historic and solid bond between our peoples. … American people helped save our people,” he wrote. “We want only strong relations with America and I really hope we will have them.”
