KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has largely abandoned the traditional suit during the war with Russia, instead making military-style clothing a defining feature of his public appearance.
Zelenskyy is frequently seen wearing olive-green and black sweatshirts, T-shirts and other military-inspired clothing, a style widely associated with Ukraine’s wartime identity and solidarity with soldiers and civilians affected by the conflict.
Wartime Image
During a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House in February 2025, a journalist asked Zelenskyy why he had not worn a suit for such an important occasion.
Zelenskyy replied that he would wear a suit again after the war was over.
His choice of clothing during meetings with foreign leaders has since become a visible reminder of the continuing war and the contrast between wartime conditions and normal diplomatic life.
Rather than adopting formal diplomatic attire, Zelenskyy’s military-style appearance has become closely associated with his role as Ukraine’s wartime president.
Formal Occasions
Zelenskyy has occasionally worn more formal military-inspired clothing for major international occasions.
At Pope Francis’s funeral in April 2025, he wore a black military-style formal outfit designed by Ukrainian designer Viktor Anisimov.
He also wore military-style attire rather than a conventional suit when attending the funeral of Norway’s King Harald in August 2026.
The choice of clothing has therefore remained a consistent element of Zelenskyy’s public image, reflecting the wartime circumstances in which he has conducted much of his presidency.
