Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was complimented on his “fabulous” outfit as he returned to the Oval Office six months on from his clash with US President Donald Trump and his Vice President JD Vance.
Mr Zelensky had visited the White House in his olive green military-style outfit in February but was scorned by his counterpart Mr Trump, who is rarely spotted in anything but a suit.
The Ukrainian president’s outfit had been a talking point following a disastrous meeting with Mr Trump, which ended early with Mr Zelensky being escorted out of the White House and without lunch.
But facing increased pressure to accept a peace deal and end the deadliest war in Europe in 80 years, Zelensky changed his look and instead arrived at the White House on Monday wearing a black shirt with buttons and a black blazer.
Although he did not don a tie, the outfit change seemed to please Mr Trump, who greeted Mr Zelensky outside the White House with a broad smile and handshake.
A reporter who had asked Mr Zelensky in February why he was not wearing a suit later complimented the Ukrainian leader on the attire he chose for his latest Oval Office session with Mr Trump.
"You look fabulous in that suit," the reporter said.
Mr Trump chimed in: "I said the same thing."
This time, Mr Zelensky got in a good-natured dig.
"You're wearing the same suit," he told the reporter, drawing laughter. "I changed."
The media-savvy Ukrainian leader had worn military-type outfits to show solidarity with the troops fighting Russian invaders since Moscow's 2022 full-scale invasion.
But after the February meeting with Mr Trump, Mr Zelensky switched to a more formal wardrobe.
When the two leaders met at Pope Francis's funeral in Rome in April, the Ukrainian president wore a heavy black field jacket and black shirt buttoned to the collar, with no tie.
