As anticipation builds for a high-stakes meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, online speculation has zeroed in on an unusual detail: Zelenskyy’s wardrobe.
Posts on X and blog commentary claim the White House warned the Ukrainian delegation that Zelenskyy should wear a formal suit at the summit, a shift from his wartime attire. The U.S. outlet The Express was cited by commentators saying some believe a suit could even be an informal “condition” for the meeting. The claims remain unverified.
Supporters of the idea framed it as basic protocol—“It’s an official meeting; the U.S. presidency demands the highest level of formality,” one X user wrote—while others urged Zelenskyy to “wear a suit, say thank you, and avoid excessive demands.” Some users even floated a Polymarket wager on whether he would show up in a suit next Monday. One commenter described arguing with her spouse over whether skipping a suit signals disrespect and reluctance to negotiate for peace.
The chatter follows a stormy Oval Office encounter in February, when Zelenskyy’s dress became a flashpoint and the meeting turned confrontational. According to accounts cited by Erem News, Trump told Zelenskyy, “You’re not winning now. You should be grateful—you don’t have the cards,” while Vice President J.D. Vance pressed, “Have you said thank you once during this meeting?”
For now, the venue and tone of the coming summit—and Zelenskyy’s outfit—remain subjects of speculation rather than confirmed details.