Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House on Friday wearing formal attire, which was a departure from his usual military clothing. His outfit, consisting of a black shirt and jacket, caught the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump, who praised Zelenskyy as “stylish.”
“I think he looks beautiful in this jacket, yes, beautiful, I hope people notice. It’s good, it’s actually very stylish, I like it,” Trump said during their lunch in the Cabinet Room.
🚨 Trump praises Zelenskyy’s style as Ukrainian president goes semi-formal during White House talks. Key topics: Tomahawk missiles & peace plans.#Trump #Zelenskyy #WhiteHouse #Ukraine #Diplomacy #BreakingNews #TomahawkMissiles #news #usa #Zelensky #Zelensky pic.twitter.com/ApdlqAPUz2
— LoudFact (@loudfactcom) October 18, 2025
Zelenskyy Balances Military Attire and Diplomacy
Zelenskyy has often worn military clothing during official meetings, reflecting his stance since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He has vowed to remain in military attire until there is peace in his country.
However, his semi-formal look during recent White House meetings appears to strike a middle ground, combining respect for diplomatic protocols with his ongoing commitment to Ukraine’s defense.
Back in August, Zelenskyy had also worn a semi-formal outfit at the White House, avoiding his usual green military sweatshirt. During a February meeting, Trump had joked, “He’s all dressed up today,” after a reporter asked Zelenskyy why he wouldn’t wear a suit.
Key Discussion: Tomahawk Missiles and Peace Talks
A major topic during the meeting was Ukraine’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles, which could allow Ukrainian forces to strike deep inside Russian territory. Ukrainian officials believe these weapons could push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward serious peace negotiations.
Trump, however, indicated he is hesitant to supply the missiles, citing the need to maintain US stockpiles and his hope that the war could end soon.
The US president also announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss further steps toward ending the war. It is unclear if Zelenskyy will attend directly, but Trump suggested a “double meeting” with both leaders could be productive.
