Suit alert: Zelenskyy turns heads at NATO summit (photos & video)
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
For the first time since the start of the full-scale invasion, Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared in public wearing a classic suit. The president, wearing khaki clothing as a symbol of unity with the army for the past three years, opted for a business style for the NATO summit.
What suit did Volodymyr Zelenskyi choose?
As reported, Zelenskyy arrived yesterday in The Hague, Netherlands, for the NATO summit. Today, the President of Ukraine appeared in photos and videos wearing a classic black suit.
This is Zelenskyy's first appearance in a traditional blazer since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
УВАГА
— Melaniya Podolyak (@MelaniePodolyak) June 25, 2025
ЦЕ НЕ НАВЧАЛЬНА ТРИВОГА
ЗЕЛЕНСЬКИЙ В ПІДЖАКУ
УВАГА
ПОВТОРЮЮ
ЦЕ НЕ НАВЧАЛЬНА ТРИВОГА
ПРЕЗИДЕНТ В ПІДЖАКУ pic.twitter.com/lhXiUfD1eb
Volodymyr Zelenskyy chose not a contrasting white shirt, as is usually customary, but one in a black shade. The head of state also declined to wear a tie.
He completed his look with classic black shoes.
#Зеленський на саміті #НАТО вперше з'явився у піджаку#NATOSummit pic.twitter.com/xKOuvjohX6
— BankovaMail (@BankovaMa) June 25, 2025
Suit scandal in US
On February 28, during a meeting between the presidents of the US and Ukraine in the Oval Office, Zelenskyy arrived at the White House in a black sweatshirt and khaki pants.
At the time, one of the journalists asked why Volodymyr Zelenskyy ignored the traditional dress code (suit, shirt, tie).
This question caused a stir among those present in the Oval Office.
In response, Zelenskyy said he would wear a suit when Ukraine wins the war and the hostilities stop. Donald Trump reportedly did not like that answer.
This exchange sparked widespread discussion on social media.
Zelenskyy and Trump (photo: Getty Images)
How Zelenskyy's style has changed
In 2019, after becoming President of Ukraine, Zelenskyy often wore black and navy blue suits to official events and work meetings. Occasionally, he would replace the traditional white shirt with a turtleneck.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, the head of state's style changed noticeably.
In his first address following the invasion, Zelenskyy wore a traditional suit, but then he switched from a strict business style to a military-inspired one.
He began appearing in public in khaki or black T-shirts with the coat of arms or Ukrainian flag, or in sweatshirts and military style jackets.
Zelenskyy's style changed during the war in Ukraine (photo: RBC-Ukraine/Vitalii Nosach)
You may be interested in:
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- The designer explained the symbolism behind Volodymyr Zelenskyy's embroidered shirt
Sources: X of Melaniya Podolyak, X page of BankovaMail.
