Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated to choose a more formal appearance for his meeting with former President Trump in Washington, D.C., on Monday, as stated by a designer who has previously worked with the Ukrainian leader.
“He is highly unlikely to wear a polo shirt tomorrow,” Elvira Gasanova informed Fox News Digital. “…I believe he will select a black military-style suit or a military-inspired shirt paired with trousers—potentially including a jacket.”
Given past criticism regarding his informal dress, Zelenskyy is expected to opt for “a more serious, albeit less symbolic, look,” Gasanova noted.
She added, “Following the recent controversy over his lack of a suit, he will probably handle this matter with a different approach.”
Zelenskyy has on occasion drawn criticism for his casual clothing, notably during a strained February meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. This particular encounter intensified into a sharp debate among the three regarding Ukraine’s leverage and whether Zelenskyy had adequately thanked the United States.
“Why do you not wear a suit? You hold the highest office in this nation, yet you decline to wear a suit,” a reporter questioned Zelenskyy then. “…Do you even possess a suit?”
In contrast to numerous politicians, the Ukrainian president does not employ personal stylists, according to Gasanova, who founded Ukrainian fashion labels GASANOVA and DAMIRLI.
Gasanova mentioned that she has previously designed apparel for both Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska.
“We have supplied a variety of items to the President’s office—ranging from vyshyvankas and polo shirts to suits,” she stated. “Volodymyr has had only a handful of fittings—he simply lacks the time… Furthermore, it is stressful for him because his physique is continuously fluctuating.”
The strains of the ongoing war have impacted Zelenskyy physically, causing weight loss during intense periods, though consistent exercise aids him in rebuilding muscle mass, Gasanova explained.
She concluded, “Currently, he is in Brussels, and he will personally determine his attire for tomorrow.”
This forthcoming meeting occurs merely days after Trump convened with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to discuss a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
This significant summit marked the first U.S.-Russia gathering since the Helsinki Summit, which took place during former President Joe Biden’s administration and just eight months prior to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Neither the White House nor the Press Office for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy provided an immediate response to Fox News Digital’s inquiry for comment.