Fashion takes centre stage in latest meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy
Madrid – During a meeting at the White House on Monday_ August 18_ 2025_ between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald J. Trump_ fashion once again served as a tool of political communication. As the two leaders met to negotiate an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine_ Zelenskyy's attire became a key topic of discussion. The meeting followed a script similar to a previous one in February 2025 that was disrupted by an intervention from U.S. Vice President James David Vance.
Upon welcoming Zelenskyy to the White House_ Trump commented on and praised his attire_ saying_ “I can_t believe it_ I love it!” Zelenskyy responded_ “It_s the best I had_” referencing the black suit he was wearing for the meeting. The two leaders then moved to the Oval Office for their bilateral talks.
Joined by Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio_ President Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Oval Office_ calling it "an honour to have the president of Ukraine with us." Trump expressed his belief that "progress is being made_ very substantial progress" in the peace negotiations_ following his "good meeting" with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15_ 2025. Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his "personal efforts to stop the killings and stop this war_" and also extended his gratitude to First Lady Melania Trump for her direct involvement.
The First Lady had previously appealed to Putin in a letter_ urging him to end the war for the sake of "all the children" who "share the same peaceful dreams in their hearts." Her letter emphasized that "as parents_ it is our duty to nurture the hope of the next generation_" and "as leaders_ the responsibility to sustain our children goes beyond the comfort of a few."
During a subsequent press question-and-answer session_ Brian Glenn_ a correspondent for Real America's Voice_ once again brought attention to Zelenskyy's outfit. Zelenskyy wore a black_ two-piece suit with military-style lines and a four-button jacket_ designed by Ukrainian designer Viktor Anisimov. This ensemble was a more "canonical" version of the black_ military-inspired outfit by Damirli that Zelenskyy had worn during a previous controversial meeting in February. While Glenn had previously accused Zelenskyy of showing a lack of "respect" with his attire_ this time_ both he and Trump praised the suit.
During the press session_ Brian Glenn_ a correspondent for Real America's Voice_ told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy_ "First of all_ President Zelenskyy_ you look fabulous in that suit". President Trump added_ "I told him the same thing". Zelenskyy_ in a more diplomatic tone than during his previous White House visit_ joked that he remembered Glenn and his controversial comment and that he was wearing "the same suit".
Glenn then asked Zelenskyy if he would be open to holding elections after a peace agreement was signed_ to which Zelenskyy replied_ "Of course_" but reiterated that "elections cannot be held during the war". With a sarcastic smile_ Trump then asked_ "So_ if in three and a half years_ we are at war with someone_ there would be no more elections?".
Upcoming three-way meeting between Ukraine_ Russia and the US
Following the bilateral meeting_ Zelenskyy and Trump participated in a family photo with the European leaders invited to the negotiations to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The group included Finnish President Alexander Stubb_ Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni_ UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer_ German Chancellor Friedrich Merz_ French President Emmanuel Macron_ European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen_ and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Zelenskyy and Trump then held a multilateral meeting with these leaders to discuss key issues for a diplomatic resolution. As Trump had previously mentioned_ he briefed Putin on these discussions in a phone call after the meeting with the European allies at the White House.
Following a series of meetings_ President Trump posted a summary on his Truth Social account. He described an "excellent meeting" at the White House with "distinguished guests."
During the meeting_ they discussed security guarantees for Ukraine to be provided by European nations in coordination with the United States. According to Trump_ "Everyone was very happy at the prospect of achieving peace between Russia and Ukraine." He then announced that after the meetings_ he called President Putin to initiate preparations for an upcoming meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy at a location to be determined. A trilateral meeting involving all three leaders would follow.
Trump called the day a "first step" for the almost four-year-long war. He concluded by stating that Vice President J. D. Vance_ Secretary of State Marco Rubio_ and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are coordinating the meeting with Russia and Ukraine. This would be the first time Putin and Zelenskyy have met since the war began.