KYIV, (Ukraine): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an ironic quip on Sunday about his choice not to wear a suit to the White House, where he faced a dressing-down from Donald Trump.
In a video released by the presidency, Zelenskyy, a former actor and comedian, thanked the audience at the end of his speech at an awards ceremony, adding: “Sorry I’m not in a suit”, to smiles and applause.
The president was dressed in a black outfit with Ukraine’s trident symbol similar to what he wore during his acrimonious exchange with the US president last month.
Since Russia invaded in February 2022, Zelenskyy has swapped suits for casual military-style gear such as T-shirts and fleeces in khaki or black.
This makes him stand out at any gathering of leaders and emphasises that his country is fighting a war. His team has followed his example.
But at the Oval Office meeting, a reporter for a right-wing broadcaster, Brian Glenn, mockingly asked Zelenskyy why he was not wearing a suit.
“I will wear (a suit) after this war finishes,” Zelenskyy answered wearily in an exchange widely shared online.
Media outlet Axios reported, citing sources, that Trump was irritated Zelenskyy did not wear a suit at the meeting after US advisers told him it would be more “respectful” to wear a suit.
Trump remarked sarcastically when Zelenskyy appeared that “he is all dressed up today”, before virulently laying into the Ukrainian leader.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov gave a lengthy commentary on the Oval Office talks to state television on Sunday, expressing horror at the exchange.
“Being a diplomat by profession, I could not believe my eyes, nor my ears,” he said, claiming that rulers have not resorted to such brutal tactics since “ancient times”.
“It used to happen in ancient times, that they would chop off the head of a state who went somewhere on a visit or put him in prison. But I think that even by the mediaeval era, that did not happen,” he said.
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