How a Ukrainian designer helped Zelensky dress for Trump diplomacy

When Ukrainian designer Viktor Anisimov showed Mr Volodymyr Zelensky a new black suit on Aug 15, it included a small detail. A back vent on the back inched it closer to a civilian suit, compared with the military outfits the President has favoured throughout the war in Ukraine.

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KYIV - When Ukrainian designer Viktor Anisimov showed Mr Volodymyr Zelensky a new black suit on Aug 15, it included a small detail. A back vent on the back inched it closer to a civilian suit, compared with the military outfits the President has favoured throughout the war in Ukraine.

"These are our hopes for peace," Mr Anisimov told Reuters about the tweak. "We think that if we add something subtle to this image, something from civilian clothing to his uniform, then it will be like a lucky charm."

On Aug 18, the lucky charm worked to set a warm tone for a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Moments after Mr Zelensky arrived, Mr Trump complimented him on the suit.

Mr Zelensky's dark military-style outfit was one of the things Mr Trump objected to during a disastrous Oval Office meeting in February, when the Ukrainian leader was given a public scolding.

Mr Anisimov, 61, from Ukraine's northern region of Chernihiv, said he was watching videos of that interaction and felt the jabs. He perceived them as aimed at Ukrainian citizens, not just at Mr Zelensky.