【Reported by Zhao Jiandong】After the meeting between Russian and US leaders in Alaska on August 15, Ukrainian President Zelensky was invited to hold a meeting with US President Trump at the White House on the 18th. Multiple European leaders also announced that they would accompany Zelensky to the US for the meeting. According to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Axios, the White House has asked Ukrainian officials whether Zelensky would wear a suit for his meeting with Trump on that day.
Axios reported that during Zelensky’s visit to the US in February, his dressing style caused a stir at the White House. He was questioned by US media about “why not wear a suit” due to his military-style attire, and was accused of “lack of respect”. It was reported that Trump even mocked Zelensky by saying “he looks so grand today”, which ultimately led to a disastrous outcome for the meeting.
Axios, citing sources familiar with the matter, revealed that for his meeting with Trump on the 18th, Zelensky will wear a black business jacket from the NATO summit in June, which is considered as a “suit” style but not a full suit. It was reported that Zelensky’s wearing a business jacket for the first time since the Russia-Ukraine conflict at the NATO summit in June. US officials confirmed that Trump was satisfied with this, stating “he came like a normal person, not like a crazy person, which fits his image at the NATO summit… so they had good conversations”.
The report also stated that according to sources, US Vice President Pence was more concerned about Zelensky’s previous casual attire, with the “tie issue being initially focused by Pence”. However, sources said that Zelensky would not wear a tie on the 18th. “The last farce will never happen again,” said a Trump advisor, referring to the陪同. The European leaders will accompany Zelensky for this meeting, “so the atmosphere of this meeting will be completely different from the last one”.
EU President Von Der Leyen posted on social media on the 17th that she and other European leaders will meet with Trump in the US on the 18th. Germany, France, Britain, and other European countries have confirmed this. Additionally, it is reported that NATO Secretary-General Lute, Finnish President Stubbe, and Italian Prime Minister Meloni will also attend the White House meeting.
According to the schedule released by the White House, Trump will hold a bilateral meeting with Zelensky at 13:15 EDT on the 18th (1:15 am CST on the 19th), followed by a multilateral meeting with European leaders at 15:00 EDT on the same day (3:00 am CST on the 19th).
In February 28th, Trump and Zelensky held a meeting at the White House in front of the media, with Pence in attendance, during which they had a fierce argument and Zelensky left the White House early. Both Trump and Pence claimed that Zelensky showed “disrespect” to the US.