Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shook hands with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday while wearing a black, military-style outfit.
The military suit, which features a black jacket and a black tie, resembles Zelensky's attire during previous meetings with world leaders. Trump appeared to compliment Zelensky on his attire as he greeted him.
Reporter Brian Glenn told Zelensky Monday in the Oval Office that "you look fabulous in that suit." Glenn, had asked the Ukrainian leader about his clothing during his last visit, implying that his casual dress was disrespectful.
Trump jumped in saying, "I said the same thing." Turning to Zelensky, Trump said, "That's the one that attacked you last time."
"I remember that," Zelensky said as laughter rippled through the room. The Ukrainian leader quipped, "You are in the same suit. I changed, you did not."
Earlier this year, Zelensky's decision to wear a long-sleeve T-shirt emblazoned with a Ukrainian military insignia, rather than a suit, became a flashpoint during his tense Oval Office meeting with Trump.
The White House, ahead of Monday's meeting, asked Zelensky to wear a traditional suit and tie, according to a European official and another person involved in planning. The request came through the office that handles White House protocol, though a spokeswoman declined to comment publicly.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Zelensky has abandoned the suit-and-tie look of statesmen in favor of military-style attire, a gesture of solidarity with Ukrainian soldiers. That same year, he vowed not to shave his beard or wear a suit again until Ukraine achieved victory.
