Will Zelensky wear a suit? White House asks ahead of Oval Office talks with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - File Photo

The White House has reportedly asked whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky intends to wear a suit during his upcoming Oval Office meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday, where several European leaders will also be present, Axios reported.

The question of Zelensky’s attire, seemingly minor on the surface, became a flashpoint during his last White House visit in March, which officials later described as a diplomatic misstep.

During that encounter, Zelensky appeared in his trademark military-style outfit -- a look that has come to symbolise Ukraine’s wartime defiance but one that reportedly irritated Trump. Upon greeting him, the US president remarked sarcastically, “He is all dressed up today,” setting the tone for an already tense exchange.

The issue even surfaced during the press interaction. A reporter asked Zelensky: “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. Do you own a suit? A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting the dignity of this office,” according to the BBC.

Zelensky responded with a sharp retort, saying he would wear the “costume” once the war was over.

Zelensky said ahead of talks with Trump today that Russia should not be "rewarded" for its invasion, after the US leader pressed Ukraine to make concessions in exchange for peace.

The talks, in which European leaders will also take part, follows a Friday summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska that failed to produce a ceasefire in the nearly three-and-a-half-year war.

Trump and Zelensky are expected to meet one-on-one before being joined by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Finland, as well as NATO chief Mark Rutte and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, according to the White House.

The European leaders will also hold a preparatory meeting with Zelensky ahead of talks with Trump, the European Union said.