After criticism, Zelenskyy swaps combat look for sharp black suit at Trump talks

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last visited the White House, his military-style outfit drew scorn from US President Donald Trump.

Their February meeting ended in bickering and Zelenskyy being escorted out early, without lunch.

On Monday, under pressure to accept a peace deal in Europe's deadliest war in 80 years, Zelenskyy returned in a black-on-black ensemble — no tie, but closer to formalwear. The change won Trump’s approval.

A reporter who had ribbed Zelenskyy in February over not wearing a suit complimented his new look. "You look fabulous in that suit," the reporter said. Trump quickly added: "I said the same thing."

Zelenskyy seized the moment with a quip. "You're wearing the same suit," he told the reporter. "I changed."

The Ukrainian leader has worn military-style clothes since Russia's 2022 invasion to show solidarity with his troops. But after the February fiasco, he began shifting to more formal attire — wearing a black field jacket and shirt, buttoned to the collar but tie-less, at Pope Francis's funeral in April.

The criticism over his White House appearance earlier this year was widely rejected in Ukraine, where Zelenskyy's wartime leadership has drawn broad support.