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Zelenskyy Swaps Wartime Garb for All-Black Suit at White House as Trump Applauds

Image consultants describe the wardrobe shift as a deliberate move to project gravitas in sensitive talks.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy waves as he meets U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, amid negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 18, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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Overview

  • Arriving for an August 19 meeting with President Trump and European leaders, Volodymyr Zelenskyy wore an all-black tailored ensemble with no tie.
  • Stylists quoted by Business Insider said the choice was calculated to convey credibility, power, and seriousness and to keep focus on the message.
  • Trump publicly praised the look during the photo op, telling Zelenskyy he loved the outfit.
  • Kiev-based designer Viktor Anisimov described the attire as a tailored black field jacket with matching shirt and trousers and said work on the new wardrobe began in January.
  • Some commentary framed the change as potentially conciliatory toward Trump, though reporting shows no confirmed policy concessions connected to the attire.