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Donald Trump appeared to tease Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrived at the White House on Friday, telling him “oh look, you’re all dressed up.”
Zelensky shook hands with the president, dressed in a black sweater – a departure from the military fatigues he is known to often wear. The sweater bore the the Ukrainian trident, also known as the tryzub. The three-pronged spear appears on Ukraine’s coat of arms and is a national symbol of Ukraine.
Turning to members of the press who captured the exchange Trump added “he’s all dressed up today” as the Ukrainian president smiled sheepishly. A clip of the interaction circulating on social media was seized on by “First Buddy” Elon Musk, who quoted “all dressed up” with a crying laughing emoji.
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The cordial, if a little awkward, meeting Trump and Zelensky comes after the president labelled his Ukrainian counterpart as a “dictator,” though he later said he did not remember saying the word.
During the highly anticipated meeting, the two men spoke about the minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, which is expected to be signed this afternoon. “We have something that is a very fair deal,” Trump told reporters.
He added that he wanted to be remembered “as a peacekeeper.”
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However, minutes later the meeting became more heated, with Vice President JD Vance pointing his finger at Zelensky. “Do you think that it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?” he said.
Also addressing Zelensky, Trump said: “You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards … You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people! You’re gambling with World War III!” Raising his voice, he added “you’re not really in good position right now.”
Zelensky, struggling to be heard, replied: “I’m not playing cards, I’m very serious Mr President. I am a wartime president.”
Jumping in again, Vance added: “Have you said thank you once?”
Following the meeting, when asked if he and Zelensky could still negotiate an end to the war with Russia, Trump replied: “We’ll see.”
