Washington – Surrounded by an unregistered wonder.
President Donald Trump immediately digs into his costume choices after President Vorodimille Zelenskyy emerged from the convoy in the West Wing.
Compared to Trump in a suit and tie, he wore a black sweatshirt, embroidered Ukrainian trident, black casual pants and boots.
Trump said sarcastically: “You all dressed up today.”
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a heated exchange at the Oval Office meeting.
Everything quickly dropped from there.
After a fierce exchange at the Oval Office, Zelenskyy would later set out without signing the Economic Partnership deal, which he once drove 5,000 miles to seal.
Zelenskyy’s country was invaded by Russia three years ago, and he was a famous casual dresser.
His frequent preference for olive green crew members, carrying cargo pants and combat boots, suggesting that his country is still in war.
Last December, he wore similar costumes to attend the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, as well as a meeting with then-then-President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Elizzi.
During the Oval Office with Trump and Trump’s Tête-à-tête, a press asked him why he was not wearing a suit while visiting the country’s “highest level” office.
Zelenskyy has been the face of the Ukrainian resistance since the invasion of Russia in February 2022, especially because of his popularity online and seeking support from other countries. When Russian state media began to spread the misinformation that Zelenskyy fled Kiev, Zelenskyy filmed himself on the streets of the capital, saying he would not leave Ukraine. He also rejected the invitation from the United States to help him evacuate the city, saying, “Fighting is here; I need ammunition, not a bicycle.”
“Why don’t you wear a suit?” he said. “Many Americans have problems with disrespect for you in the office.”
Zelenskyy said he would “wear clothing after the war.”
Then he told reporters. “Maybe I’ll wear something like you or something better,” he said. “Maybe cheaper.”
A few minutes later, the meeting turned into a yelling between Vice President JD Vance, Trump and Zelenskyy. The U.S. President and Vice President accused Zelenskyy of not thanking the U.S. for supporting Ukraine. The conversation became particularly accused when Trump accused the Ukrainian president of extending the war in terms of diplomatic positions and the use of American resources.
“You don’t have a card right now. You’re gambling the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump said. “What you do is very disrespectful to the country that supports you.”
Soon after, the planned lunch and bilateral meeting were cancelled and Zelenskyy was seen leaving the White House.
The table was left with the deal he signed to enable the United States to enter the country’s rare earths. Trump demands access to rare minerals to compensate U.S. military support.
“He disrespects the United States of America in the precious Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace,” Trump said in a statement.
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is the White House correspondent for USA Today. You can follow her on x @swapnavenugopal
This article originally appeared in USA Today: No Suits, No Lunch and a “Disrespect” conference
