WASHINGTON – It was an undignified spectacle throughout.
As quickly as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emerged out of his motorcade on the West Wing, President Donald Trump instantly took a dig at his sartorial selection.
Outfitted in a black sweatshirt that includes an embroidered Ukrainian trident, black slacks and boots, he was considerably underdressed compared to Trump, who was carrying a swimsuit and tie.
“You’re all dressed up right this moment,” Trump mentioned sarcastically.
President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy obtained right into a heated change throughout their assembly within the Oval Workplace.
All of it rapidly went downhill from there.
After a heated change within the Oval Workplace, Zelenskyy would later depart with out signing an “economic partnership” deal he had travelled 5,000 miles to seal.
Zelenskyy, whose nation was invaded by Russia three years in the past, has been a identified informal dresser.
He typically favors olive inexperienced crewnecks with cargo pants and fight boots, a sign to the world that his nation continues to be at warfare.
In December, he wore an identical outfit for the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris in addition to for his assembly with then President-elect Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace.
Throughout his tête-à-tête with Trump within the Oval Workplace, a member of the press requested him why he was not carrying a swimsuit whereas visiting the “highest stage” workplace within the nation.
Since Russia invaded in February 2022, Zelenskyy has been the face of Ukrainian resistance, notably for his visibility on-line and his pleas to different international locations for help. When Russian state media started spreading misinformation that Zelenskyy had fled Kyiv, Zelenskyy filmed himself within the streets of the capital saying that he wouldn’t depart Ukraine. He additionally declined the U.S. invitation to assist him evacuate the town, saying “The battle is right here; I want ammunition, not a journey.”
“Why don’t you put on a swimsuit?,” he mentioned. “A whole lot of People have issues with you not respecting the workplace.”
Zelenskyy mentioned he’ll “put on the costume after the warfare is completed.”
Then he informed the reporter; “Perhaps I’ll put on one thing like yours or one thing higher,” he mentioned, eliciting laughter. “Perhaps one thing cheaper.”
Minutes later, the assembly devolved into a shouting match between Vice President JD Vance, Trump and Zelenskyy. The U.S. president and vp accused Zelenskyy of not being grateful for American help for Ukraine. The dialog grew to become notably charged when Trump accused the Ukrainian president of prolonging the warfare whereas being in a weak diplomatic place and utilizing American sources.
“You don’t have the playing cards proper now. You are playing with the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals. You are playing with World Struggle III,” Trump mentioned. “What you are doing may be very disrespectful to the nation that is backed you.”
Quickly after, a deliberate lunch and a bilateral assembly was canceled and Zelenskyy was seen leaving the White Home.
The deal he had come to signal, giving America entry to uncommon earths in his nation, was left on the desk. Trump has demanded entry to uncommon minerals as a compensation for American navy help.
“He disrespected the USA of America in its cherished Oval Workplace. He can come again when he’s prepared for Peace,” Trump said in a statement.
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White Home Correspondent for USA TODAY. You’ll be able to comply with her on X @SwapnaVenugopal
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: No suit, no lunch and one ‘disrespectful’ meeting
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