Donald Trump mocked Volodymyr Zelensky’s outfit before tense Oval Office clash: 'You're all dressed up'

Donald Trump immediately mocked Volodymyr Zelensky’s outfit upon his arrival at the White House, setting the stage for a tense Oval Office showdown
UPDATED MAR 1, 2025
President Donald Trump shaded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for being 'dressed up' (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump shaded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for being 'dressed up' (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: The tone for Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump's Friday, February 28, meeting was set early as the US president reportedly mocked Zelensky's outfit upon his arrival.

Trump sarcastically told the President of Ukraine, “Oh, you’re all dressed up,” as the two men shook hands at the entry point of the Oval Office, as reported by The Daily Beast.

Donald Trump mocks Volodymyr  Zelensky's outfit

President Donald Trump did not stop there as he even announced to the media persons available there that Volodymyr Zelensky’s “all dressed up today!”

(L-R) U.S. President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump and Zelensky are meeting today to sign a preliminary agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral resources that Trump says will allow America to recoup aid provided to Kyiv while supporting Ukraine’s economy. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The publication reported that Zelensky visited the White House in a black sweater, which he paired with the trident symbol of Ukraine, a pair of black cargo pants, and boots.



 

It has been said that Volodymyr Zelensky has renounced suits and ties since Russia invaded his nation in 2022.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump and Zelensky are meeting today to negotiate a preliminary agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral resources that Trump says will allow America to recoup aid provided to Kyiv while supporting Ukraine’s economy. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Also, Financial Times chief Kyiv correspondent Christoper Miller reportedly confirmed in 2022, “Zelensky told me he wouldn’t go back to wearing a suit and tie and shaving his beard until Ukrainian victory in the war. Although the beard might stick around after.”

However, Zelensky was once again questioned for his outfit during the February 28 meeting as Brian Glenn, an anchor on Real America’s Voice, asked him, “You’re at the highest level in this country’s office and you refuse to wear a suit. Just want to see, do you own a suit?”



 

“A lot of Americans have problems with you disrespecting this office,” Glenn added.

But the leader replied, “I will wear a costume after this war will finish, maybe something like yours, maybe something better, we will see, maybe something cheaper.”

Volodymyr Zelensky targeted by Trump and JD Vance

Vice President JD Vance speaks during a meeting with President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump and Zelensky are meeting today to negotiate a preliminary agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral resources that Trump says will allow America to recoup aid provided to Kyiv while supporting Ukraine’s economy. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Vice President JD Vance speaks during a meeting with President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

However, as per reports, the meeting was more ill-tempered than the above exchange. Zelensky was seemingly not happy with Trump and his administration’s way of handling the Ukraine crisis.

He even told them, “We don’t just need a ceasefire. We’ve done that before — Putin violated it 25 times, including during your presidency, Mr President.”

But was hit back by Vice President JD Vance, who told him, “Do you think that it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”

U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd-L) and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) meet in the Oval Office as Vice President JD Vance (C), Secretary of Sate Marco Rubio (3rd-R) and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (2nd-R) look on at the White House on February 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. Starmer is on his first visit to Washington since President Trump returned to the White House. Starmer's trip comes shortly after he announced an increase in UK defense spending, ostensibly as a signal to Trump that the UK is prepared to bolster Europe's security, and as he aims to broker a fair peace deal for Ukraine amid Trump's warming relations with Russia. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump (2nd-L) and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) meet in the Oval Office as Vice President JD Vance (C), Secretary of Sate Marco Rubio (3rd-R) and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (2nd-R) look on at the White House on February 27, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Even Trump also berated Zelensky by saying, “If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would’ve been over in 2 weeks! You have to be thankful, you don’t have the cards.”

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