Is the fate of Ukraine decided by a jacket? Of course not, but Volodymyr Zelensky's choice on Monday to abandon his usual military-style attire and appear in a more formal look cheered Donald Trump, writes BTA, citing AFP.
„I can't believe it. I love this!“, exclaimed the American president yesterday, when he welcomed his Ukrainian counterpart before a crucial meeting for Ukraine, and for all of Europe, pointing to his guest's black jacket and shirt.
“This was the best I had“, replied Zelensky, who, however, did not go so far as to put on a classic suit with a light shirt and tie.
The two men smiled, shook hands and entered the West Wing of the White House – a protocol far simpler than the red carpet that was rolled out on Friday in Alaska for the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump at a military base.
Another difference: on Friday, the American president and his Russian counterpart did not answer a single journalistic question, while yesterday the 79-year-old billionaire resumed his habit of giving a press conference when he receives a foreign guest in the Oval Office.
During his last visit on February 28, Volodymyr Zelensky was attacked first by Brian Glenn - a TV presenter close to the MAGA movement (“Make America Great Again“), created and embodied by Donald Trump - and then by Vice President J.D. Vance, and by the American president himself.
The Ukrainian head of state presents his iconic outfit - a dark top and camouflage pants - as a symbol of solidarity with the armed forces. But, the New York Times noted, he had already worn a dark shirt jacket, reportedly designed by Ukrainian designer Viktor Anisimov, to Pope Francis' funeral.
Six months after the February clash, Brian Glenn was once again in the Oval Office, filled by Donald Trump with a multitude of gold ornaments and with media representatives who openly support him.
The host of the Real America's Voice channel, a companion in the life of far-right representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, turned to Zelensky: "You look great in that suit."
"I told him the same thing!" Donald Trump exclaimed, patting the Ukrainian president on the shoulder. "He attacked you last time," the US president reminded Zelensky.
The former actor replied with a slight smile: "I remember."
Then, in an ironic tone, he turned to Brian Glenn: "You're wearing the same suit. At least I changed clothes." The remark greatly amused the US president, a former reality TV host.
Glenn then asked the Ukrainian head of state if he would organize elections after the end of the war. Zelensky answered in the affirmative, but the topic piqued the interest of Donald Trump, who never admitted his defeat in the 2020 elections and had repeatedly spoken about the possibility of running for a third term - something the US Constitution prohibits.
„So if we are at war with someone, there are no elections? "I like that," the American president joked. "You like that idea," Zelensky replied with a laugh.
The Ukrainian leader, who had come to persuade Trump not to abandon his country against Russia, had not only changed his attire and adopted a more carefree tone, but also expressed his insistent gratitude to his host: "Thank you for the invitation and thank you very much for your efforts, your personal efforts to end the massacre and stop this war."
During the previous visit, J.D. Vance had launched an attack on Zelensky, reproaching him for not once saying "thank you" for the tens of billions of dollars in American military aid. This time, the vice president was again present in the Oval Office, but he remained silent - at least while the journalists were in the room.