The Ukrainian government has launched a fundraising effort featuring President Volodymyr Zelensky’s sharp response from his tense Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. The effort aims to capitalize on the viral moments from the diplomatic clash while rallying support for Ukraine’s ongoing war efforts.
The meeting, which took place last Friday, quickly unraveled into a public dispute, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled joint press conference. Among the most talked-about moments was criticism directed at Zelensky for his military-style clothing, a trademark of his wartime leadership since Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago.
In response, United24, a Ukrainian government-backed fundraising platform, is raffling off 100 T-shirts featuring Zelensky’s defiant remark: “I’ll wear a costume when the war is over.” The phrase, which originated in Ukrainian, uses “costume” as a common translation for the word “suit.”
The raffle is open to donors contributing $24 or more toward Ukraine’s defense.
“They’re emphasizing the words of our President — a reminder that there is a time and place for everything,” United24 wrote in an announcement. “There will be a time when we can all wear suits. Right now, it is time to help Ukraine finish this war.”
The campaign has garnered significant attention online, particularly among Ukraine’s global supporters. Some see it as a clever way to turn a moment of public criticism into a rallying cry for the nation’s resilience.
The fundraiser stems from an Oval Office meeting that exposed deepening tensions between Trump and Zelensky. During their discussion, Zelensky attempted to highlight the brutal realities faced by Ukrainian civilians as the war with Russia drags on.
Trump, however, pushed back, urging the Ukrainian leader to show more appreciation for U.S. military aid.
At one point, Trump dismissed Zelensky’s plea by telling him, “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.”
He went further, accusing Ukraine of being “disrespectful” to the U.S., which has been a key backer of Kyiv’s war effort. “You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump warned.
The meeting ended without a joint statement, and administration officials later called on Zelensky to apologize for how the discussion played out.
Tensions between Trump and Zelensky have been mounting in recent weeks. The former president has criticized Zelensky harshly, labeling him a “dictator without elections” and blaming Ukraine for the war with Russia. Trump’s rhetoric marks a stark departure from previous U.S. policy, which has largely placed blame on Moscow for the conflict.
Trump has also been pressuring Kyiv to accept a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical mineral reserves. Amid these negotiations, he has taken a tougher stance on American support for Ukraine, arguing that Kyiv must show more gratitude and flexibility in diplomacy.
On Monday, the strain escalated further when Trump announced a pause on U.S. military aid to Ukraine. The decision has sent shockwaves through the international community, raising concerns about Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defense against Russian forces.
Meanwhile, fallout from Trump’s foreign policy extends beyond Ukraine. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a sharp response to new U.S. tariffs imposed under Trump’s administration, declaring, “We must retaliate.”
Though Trudeau did not specify what countermeasures Canada would take, his statement underscores the growing diplomatic strain between the U.S. and its allies.
As Ukraine grapples with shifting international support, initiatives like the T-shirt fundraiser serve as both a symbolic and practical effort to keep aid flowing. The slogan—born from a moment of tension—now represents Ukraine’s resilience in the face of uncertainty.
