Zelenskyy wins Trump’s approval with his new look at the White House; journalist who ridiculed him calls it ‘fabulous’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a deliberate sartorial shift for his Oval Office meeting with US President Donald Trump and European leaders. Departing once again from conventional formal wear, Zelenskyy chose a black military-style jacket, eschewing a tie and the expectations of Western dress codes. Yet this understated ensemble was enough to soften past tensions and redirect the narrative.

President Donald Trump personally greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the White House steps. But in a break from tradition, Trump did not extend the same courtesy to America’s closest allies as the European leaders were greeted by US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley.

The reception was warmer compared to Zelenskyy’s last White House visit in February, when Trump and other commentators openly mocked his casual wartime attire. Trump had joked at the time, “Oh look, you’re all dressed up today,” while a conservative reporter pressed Zelenskyy on whether he even owned a suit. Zelenskyy had responded defiantly, “I’ll wear one when the war is finished.”


Tuesday’s encounter, however, struck a lighter tone. Pro-Trump broadcaster Brian Glenn, who previously criticized Zelenskyy’s look, complimented him with, “You look fabulous in that suit.” Trump quickly added, “You look good.”

Zelenskyy quipped in reply, “You are in the same suit. I changed mine,” drawing laughter in the Oval Office, a moment that helped defuse earlier tensions and set a more cooperative stage for talks.

While the optics may seem trivial, experts note that wardrobe choices have become part of the battlefield for leaders trying to frame their image during wartime diplomacy.

A high-stakes meeting

Beneath the surface of lighthearted banter, the summit carried heavy stakes. Trump and European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Union President Ursula von der Leyen, and French President Emmanuel Macron, gathered to push forward peace talks.

Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s non-negotiable demands, that is, recognition of its territorial sovereignty, continued Western security guarantees, and no concessions over Crimea or the Donbas region. Trump, who has promised to “end the war quickly,” faces mounting pressure to prove his approach can reconcile Ukraine’s red lines with Moscow’s demands.

While no breakthrough agreements were announced immediately, officials described the mood as constructive. Analysts suggest Zelenskyy’s softened image may have played a subtle but important role, particularly as Trump seeks to position himself as the dealmaker-in-chief, just days after he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.