Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has commented with irony on his choice not to wear a suit to the White House, where he faced sharp criticism from his American counterpart Donald Trump, AFP reports.
In a video released by the presidency, Zelensky, a former actor and comedian, thanked the audience at the end of his speech at an awards ceremony, adding: "I'm sorry I'm not wearing a suit", which prompted smiles and applause.
The president was wearing an outfit similar to what he wore during his heated exchange with the US president last month.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Zelensky has swapped suits for casual military outfits such as T-shirts and fleeces in khaki or black.
It makes him stand out at any gathering of leaders and emphasizes that his country is at war. His team followed suit.
But at the Oval Office meeting, right-wing TV reporter Brian Glenn mockingly asked Zelensky why he wasn't wearing a suit.
"I'll wear a suit after this war is over," Zelensky replied.
Axios reported, citing sources, that Trump was annoyed by Zelensky's choice after U.S. advisers told him it would be "more respectful" to wear a suit.
Trump sarcastically remarked when Zelensky appeared that he was "dressed today" before furiously attacking the Ukrainian leader.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov gave a lengthy commentary on the Oval Office talks on state television on Sunday, expressing horror at what he saw and heard.
"As a diplomat by profession, I could not believe my eyes or my ears", he said, claiming that rulers had not resorted to such brutal tactics since "ancient times".
"In ancient times, it was common to cut off a head of state who went on a visit or to imprison him. But I think that even in the Middle Ages this did not happen", he said.
The agreement on Ukrainian mineral resources alone is not enough to resume American aid to Kiev, US President Donald Trump believes and has made this clear to his advisers, the American television channel NBC News reports, citing sources.
Trump wants to sign an agreement with Kiev on the development of mineral resources in Ukraine, but is waiting for additional concessions from Kiev to unfreeze the provision of American weapons and intelligence, a source in the presidential administration and another official told the television channel.
Among them is Ukraine's readiness to give up part of the territory occupied by Russia and to demonstrate some progress in organizing presidential elections in Ukraine, perhaps even the readiness of President Volodymyr Zelensky to resign, the source of the television channel said.
"We expect additional positive moves from Kiev before meeting in Saudi Arabia next week," National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said when asked by NBC about Trump's demands.
The signing of an investment agreement on subsoil resources between the United States and Ukraine was scheduled for February 28, but fell through after a public spat between President Trump and Zelensky. Shortly afterward, the White House cut off military aid to Kiev. Zelensky later expressed regret over the outcome of the meeting and said Kiev was ready to make a deal.