(The Hill) – The Ukrainian government has launched a T-shirt fundraising effort seeking to capitalize on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s now-infamous Oval Office meeting on Friday with President Trump and Vice President Vance.
The meeting, which unraveled to such an extent that a joint press conference between the two sides scheduled for afterwards was canceled, including multiple moments that went viral, including when Zelensky was criticized for not wearing a suit. He has dressed in more military-themed garb since Russia invaded his country three years ago.
United24, a Ukrainian state-sponsored platform that raises funds amid the ongoing war, is raffling off 100 T-shirts with Zelensky’s response: “I’ll wear a costume when the war is over.”
In Ukrainian, the word “costume” is used as a translated term for suit.
The raffle is open to those who donate $24 or more toward Kyiv’s defense efforts.
“They’re emphasizing the words of our President — a reminder that there is a time and place for everything,” United24’s online post reads.
“There will be a time when we can all wear suits. Right now, it is time to help Ukraine finish this war. You have all the cards to support Ukraine — it’s time to play them. Donate to help Ukraine finish this war and win something to wear instead of a suit,” it concluded.
During Friday’s Oval Office spat, Zelensky tried to tell Trump of the brutality endured by his citizens amid the conflict. Trump urged his counterpart to show more gratitude for American dollars fueling the war.
“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. You’re in no position to dictate that. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards,” Trump said in front of cameras.
“You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that has backed you.”
The president and members of his administration have called on Zelensky to apologize over the meeting.
Tensions have risen between Trump and Zelensky in recent weeks after the former called the latter a “dictator without elections” who had done a “terrible job.” Trump recently suggested Ukraine was to blame for the start of the war with Russia.
On Monday, Trump, who has been pressuring Ukraine to sign a a deal that would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical mineral supply, paused American military aid to Kyiv.
