Zelenskiy Adopts More Formal Ahead of Trump Meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made a noticeable shift in his wardrobe choices as he seeks to mend ties with Washington and prepare for high-stakes meetings — including a recent one with Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague.

Zelenskiy, who since the start of Russia’s invasion had become known for his signature khaki military tees and combat-ready gear, has now pivoted to dark, rugged formalwear — typically black field jackets and shirts buttoned to the collar, though still without ties.

This sartorial shift follows a February Oval Office visit with Trump that went awry. At the time, a U.S. reporter publicly criticized Zelenskiy for not wearing a suit during the meeting. The press conference spiraled into a tense exchange over whether Zelenskiy was showing sufficient gratitude for U.S. aid — something that angered many in Ukraine.

Since that diplomatic fumble, Zelenskiy has opted for a more "calibrated and respectful" wardrobe, seen as part of a broader effort to rebuild U.S.-Ukraine relations amid the halt in U.S. arms support under the new Trump administration.

When Zelenskiy attended the funeral of Pope Francis in April — where he and Trump crossed paths — he wore a black jacket and shirt combination. He repeated the look during his London meeting with UK PM Keir Starmer this week and again at a state dinner hosted by Dutch royalty preceding the NATO summit.

Though he wasn’t part of the formal NATO meeting, Zelenskiy met Trump afterward to discuss a wishlist of military support and arms deals.

The fashion press took notice. ELLE Ukraine called his evolving style “a new kind of visual diplomacy,” noting how clothing is now a strategic tool in Zelenskiy's global messaging. On Ukrainian social media, the updated look has been widely praised as symbolically respectful while retaining a wartime edge.

A spokesperson for Zelenskiy declined to comment directly, but the message from the wardrobe is clear: the Ukrainian leader is navigating the battlefield of international politics not just with weapons and words, but with carefully chosen attire.