The Ukrainian president was advised to wear a suit to the White House and Donald Trump was offended when he didn’t, according to reports.
Ahead of the historic meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was advised by Trump’s team to ditch his usual military-style clothing for something more formal, Axios reports.
However, he didn’t, instead opting to wear all black.
This irritated Mr Trump ahead of what quickly became a car crash of a meeting, according to two sources who spoke to Axios.
Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands, it was Mr Zelenskyy’s outfit that seemed to set the meeting off on a bad track.
As Mr Trump shook Mr Zelenskyy’s hand at the entrance to the West Wing, he said: “He is all dressed up today.”
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Then, during the disastrous press conference, reporter Brian Glenn asked Mr Zelenskyy, “why don’t you wear a suit”, accusing him of having a lack of respect for America.
“I will wear a costume when this war is finished,” the Ukrainian leader responded. “Maybe something like yours. Maybe something better. Maybe something cheaper.”
In Ukrainian, the word “kostium” (pronounced ‘costume’) means “suit”.
Mr Zelenskyy, pictured during his inauguration, has dressed formally in the past, but ditched the suits after Russia invaded his country in 2022. Pic: AP
Why doesn’t Zelenskyy wear a suit?
Mr Zelenskyy, who was elected in 2019, is often seen wearing olive green jumpers, emblazoned with the Ukrainian trident, alongside combat boots.
It is a signal to the world that his country is still at war. It reflects his solidarity with the armed forces and those fighting on the frontline.
The casual attire serves as a reminder that Ukraine is an active battlefield.
While Mr Zelenskyy did wear suits before the war, reflecting his role as head of state, he has stated he will not return to doing so until the war has ended.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte with Volodymyr Zelenskyy outside Notre Dame Cathedral. Pic: AP
In December, he wore a similar outfit for the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, as well as for his meeting with then President-elect Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Many social media users were quick to point out that Elon Musk did not wear a suit during his recent visit to the Oval Office.
Images also began circulating of Winston Churchill visiting the White House during the Second World War, dressed in a wartime “siren suit”.
Churchill wore the one-piece air raid outfit during a visit to President Franklin D Roosevelt, in which he hoped to persuade the American public to join the war.
Winston Churchill, smoking a cigar, at the White House, wearing a wartime ‘siren suit’. Pic: AP
Ironically, a bust of Churchill was present in the room during the meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy, which ended in the Ukrainian leader leaving the White House without agreeing to the deal on minerals he had flown 5,000 miles to seal.
Mr Zelenskyy is now due to travel to the UK for a summit with European leaders on Sunday.
The United States and European Union have agreed a trade deal, says Donald Trump.
The announcement was made as the US president met European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at one of his golf resorts in Scotland.
Speaking after talks in Turnberry, Mr Trump said the EU deal was the “biggest deal ever made” and it will be “great for cars”.
The US will impose 15% tariffs on EU goods into America, after Mr Trump had threatened a 30% levy.
He said there will be an EU investment of $600bn in the US, the bloc will buy $750bn in US energy and will also purchase US military equipment.
Mr Trump had earlier said the main sticking point was “fairness”, citing barriers to US exports of cars and agriculture.
He went into the talks demanding fairer trade with the 27-member EU and threatening steep tariffs to achieve that, while insisting the US will not go below 15% import taxes.
For months, Mr Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in the hope of shrinking major US trade deficits with many key trading partners, including the EU.
Ms von der Leyen said the agreement would include 15% tariffs across the board, saying it would help rebalance trade between the two large trading partners.
In case there was no deal and the US had imposed 30% tariffs from 1 August, the EU has prepared counter-tariffs on €93bn (£81bn) of US goods.
Ahead of their meeting on Sunday, Ms von der Leyen described Mr Trump as a “tough negotiator and dealmaker”.
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At least 11 people have been stabbed at a Walmart supermarket in Michigan, with six in a critical condition.
Officials say a suspect is in custody – and at this stage, it is believed the attack was a “random act” that involved a folding-style knife near the checkout area.
Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters: “Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more.”
Pic: AP
The suspect, who is from Michigan, is not known to police – and was captured within three minutes thanks to “citizen involvement”.
The attack unfolded in Traverse City – and Tiffany DeFell, who was in the car park at the time, described scenes of chaos.
“It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,” she said. “This is something you see out of the movies.”
Beyond the six people in a critical condition, it is believed the remaining five were seriously hurt. All 11 are still being treated in hospital.
Pic: AP
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.”
A Walmart spokesperson added that the retailer is working closely with law enforcement.
“Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” a statement said.
Pic: AP
At this stage, the ages of the victims is unclear – but it is not thought any of the victims were Walmart employees.
Traverse City is about 255 miles northwest of Detroit.
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