10
Loading video...
By Jesus Mesa and Gabe Whisnant
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shook hands with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday while wearing a black, military-style outfit.
The military suit, which features a black jacket and a black tie, resembles Zelensky's attire during previous meetings with world leaders. Trump appeared to compliment Zelensky on his attire as he greeted him.
Reporter Brian Glenn told Zelensky Monday in the Oval Office that "you look fabulous in that suit." Glenn, who is Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's boyfriend, had asked the Ukrainian leader about his clothing during his last visit, implying that his casual dress was disrespectful.
Read More on Politics
Trump jumped in saying, "I said the same thing." Turning to Zelensky, Trump said, "That's the one that attacked you last time."
"I remember that," Zelensky said as laughter rippled through the room. The Ukrainian leader quipped, "You are in the same suit. I changed, you did not."
Why It Matters
Earlier this year, Zelensky's decision to wear a long-sleeve T-shirt emblazoned with a Ukrainian military insignia, rather than a suit, became a flashpoint during his tense Oval Office meeting with Trump.
Overall, Monday's meeting stayed on track. Neither leader appeared frustrated, and there were no remarks or interjections from any of the other officials in the room.
The meeting between Zelensky and Trump marked their first in-person exchange since the July NATO summit and came as Trump's administration considers whether to maintain, restructure, or reduce U.S. military support to Kyiv.
What To Know
The White House, ahead of Monday's meeting, asked Zelensky to wear a traditional suit and tie, according to a European official and another person involved in planning. The request came through the office that handles White House protocol, though a spokeswoman declined to comment publicly.
Instead, Zelensky appeared in a dark short-sleeve T-shirt during a meeting with Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, according to a video he shared on X.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Zelensky has abandoned the suit-and-tie look of statesmen in favor of military-style attire, a gesture of solidarity with Ukrainian soldiers. That same year, he vowed not to shave his beard or wear a suit again until Ukraine achieved victory.
The clothing choice has at times caused friction, including during a February Oval Office meeting with Trump.
"He's all dressed up," Trump remarked to reporters, contrasting his own appearance with Zelensky's. A journalist told Zelensky his outfit was seen by many Americans as disrespectful. Zelensky shot back: "I will wear a costume when this war is finished."
Hope for Trilateral Talks
Monday's White House meeting brought Trump, Zelensky, and top European officials together just three days after Trump's separate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump said those discussions laid the groundwork for progress and suggested Ukraine now needed to consider possible concessions.
"If everything works out today, we'll have a trilat," Trump said, referring to potential trilateral negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. "We're going to work with Russia, we're going to work with Ukraine."
...
Zelensky welcomed the idea. "We are ready for trilateral as president said," he told reporters. "It's a good signal. I think this is very good."
Trump said he would support European security guarantees for Ukraine but stopped short of pledging U.S. troop involvement. Instead, he suggested a "NATO-like" security presence, adding that details would be discussed later in the day with European Union leaders.
"They want to give protection, and they feel very strongly about it and we'll help them out with that," Trump said. "I think it's very important to get the deal done."
The talks began with a one-on-one session between Trump and Zelensky, followed by a broader meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
What People Are Saying
Russia's deputy United Nations ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, told reporters: "We hope that the Ukrainian leadership will, instead of thinking about saving their own skin, think about their people who don't want to fight and who are ready for peace, just and long-lasting peace."
Robert B. Murrett, a professor of practice of international affairs at Syracuse University, told Newsweek: "Most everybody has recognized—and you don't want to give up your negotiating positions before you actually negotiate—that the prospects of those five provinces in play that probably fall into three different categories."
What Happens Next
Trump said he plans to speak to Putin after his meetings with Zelensky and European leaders.
Update 8/18/25, 1:55 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 8/18/25, 3:20 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines