The Ukrainian president’s outfit during his visit to the White House Monday reflects a change in tactics since his disastrous meeting with President Trump earlier this year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined European and NATO leaders to thank Trump — a lot — six months after the White House accused him of being ungrateful.

The White House, ahead of Monday's meeting, asked Zelensky to wear a traditional suit and tie, according to a European official and another person involved in planning. The request came through the office that handles White House protocol, though a spokeswoman declined to comment publicly.

The Ukrainian leader's visit to the White House in February ended in a heated argument. Monday's meeting with President Trump was less fraught.

The Ukrainian leader seemed mostly upbeat about his latest White House appearance, describing his meeting with Trump as "warm". His optimism, however, appeared deliberate as he sought to avoid a repeat of his last Oval Office visit and convince his American hosts to embrace the European position on ending the war.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and other European leaders have learned a thing or two about negotiating, Trump-style. So has Vladimir Putin.

US President Donald Trump will hold bilateral talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on Monday, the White House said, ahead of a larger meeting with European leaders later in the day.

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House on Monday, President Trump gestured to his all-black suit. “Best I have,” Zelensky said, according to a video posted on social media by a White House staffer.