CNN reported 30 minutes ago that a rare situation occurred during the visit of the White House delegation to Ukraine. According to a close source, the condition for the official meeting and negotiations between the two sides to take place is that President Volodymyr Zelensky must wear a formal suit. Otherwise, the entire meeting will be canceled immediately.
This information surprised the international public, because it not only shows the strictness of diplomatic protocol but also reflects the level of tension in the relationship between Kiev and Washington.
Is it a matter of clothing or a political message?
Zelensky is known for his simple image, often appearing in green military T-shirts or combat fatigues, especially since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He wants to convey the message: Ukraine is a country at war, and the President always stands side by side with the soldiers.
However, for the White House delegation, a high-level meeting in Kiev is not only a political issue but also a symbolic diplomatic protocol. A source revealed that Washington wanted to affirm mutual respect through the form of clothing. They were concerned that if Zelensky continued to wear a T-shirt, the image of the meeting would be controversial and could be exploited by political opponents.
Behind-the-scenes tension
According to CNN, before the meeting took place, there were tense debates between the two sides. Zelensky’s advisers argued that he had the right to maintain the image associated with wartime, while emphasizing that the Ukrainian people were familiar with and trusted that style. But the US side asserted: “If there is no formality in form, there cannot be seriousness in content.”
The risk of canceling the meeting was raised right before the US delegation set foot in Kiev. This is considered one of the most sensitive diplomatic situations since the outbreak of war.
In the end, Zelensky had to choose
Under great pressure, Zelensky is said to have considered it for a long time. He understood that the meeting with the White House delegation was vital for Ukraine, especially in the context of increasingly fierce international aid debate in Washington.
Some sources said that he agreed to wear a dark suit for the official meeting, but only considered it an exception, not changing his usual style. This appearance immediately created a wave of discussion. Some people thought that he had “given in” to pressure from the US, while many others considered this a wise decision, demonstrating the flexibility of a leader in difficult times.
Public opinion reaction
The story of Zelensky’s suit quickly became a hot topic on social media. Some people mocked that “the value of the suit is equal to a billion-dollar aid package.” On the contrary, many analysts believe that this is a small detail but shows the big differences in political culture between Ukraine and the US.
Although it is just a matter of clothing, the incident has revealed potential cracks in the alliance. It reminds the world that, behind the declarations of solidarity, there are still irreconcilable gaps.
