During the tense meeting between Trump and Zelensky, a journalist told the Ukrainian president that many Americans were offended by the fact that he had not worn a business suit. Since the outbreak of the armed conflict, Zelensky has adopted military attire as a brilliant communication strategy, so that no one forgets that his country is at war and that, despite not being on the front, he is also fighting. He could have chosen a military uniform full of stripes, but he preferred that of a private soldier, as an idea of equality, fraternity, austerity and a show of sensitivity towards the suffering and sacrifice of his people. A uniform that also empowers and dignifies his image to counteract the fact that he constantly has to beg for international aid.
But this image of strength does not please Trump. And this takes us back to the European absolute monarchs, who had strict rules for foreign ambassadors, who had to conform to the country's fashion as a sign of respect. As a result, the visitor accepted an aesthetic submission that put him at a clear disadvantage, just as Trump would have wanted. As for Zelensky's other options, the first would be to wear a high-quality suit, which would arouse the anger of his people. If the suit were modest, it would detract from his aesthetic dignity compared to the rest of the world's dignitaries. With military attire, Zelensky is telling us that nothing can return to normal while his country is at war and that, once it is over, as he himself answers the journalist in the Oval Office, he will be able to wear a suit as good or better than the one the journalist is wearing, and perhaps cheaper.
