Diplomacy proves Zelenskyy's strong suit as he survives a return to the White House

If there was a sign that Volodymyr Zelenskyy wasn't going to be immediately voted off the island of the Donald Trump diplomacy show, it came early on when a familiar voice commended his choice of attire.

- Andrew Roth

"President Zelenskyy, you look fabulous in that suit," said Brian Glenn, a pro-Trump pundit and member of the White House press corps, who had attacked him for wearing military fatigues during the infamous Oval Office meeting in February. "I said the same thing," Trump added.

"You are in the same suit," Zelenskyy shot back, earning smiles and laughter from the room, including the US president. "I changed, you did not."

Thus Zelenskyy survived his first media appearance at the White House with Trump yesterday as the US president focused less on belittling the leader of a wartime ally than boasting - and in many cases exaggerating - his exploits as a peacemaker in world conflicts.

Zelenskyy, dressed reluctantly in a black military-style suit to appease sticklers for protocol in the White House, largely sat by quietly as Trump claimed to have hammered out peace deals in six wars, including one the veteran estate agent said had taken place in the "Republic of the Condo".