Argument Summary

To summarize the arguments:

Yes-side arguments leaned on selective media phrasing, visual comparisons, and expanded definitions of a suit. No-side reasoning emphasized the lack of consistent press confirmation, the absence of conventional suit elements, and Zelenskyy’s own rejection of wartime formalwear. Appeals to intent, fashion experts, or market sentiment failed under resolution criteria that required external validation and objective standards.

The main reason the "Yes" arguments failed was that very few sources, perhaps only four, even discussed Zelenskyy’s outfit. Of those, only The New York Times definitively described it as a suit. Other outlets, like Kyiv Independent, noted that the outfit "looked like a suit" but cited the Ukrainian word костюм, which broadly refers to any coordinated outfit and does not exclusively mean "suit" in the Western sense. This ambiguity weakened claims of clear media consensus. It's also worth noting that the Berlin appearance marked the beginning of the "suit by technicality" line of argument.

The four sources cited in support of the "Yes" case are The New York Times, 24 Канал (24tv.ua), Kyiv Independent, and EADaily. These are discussed in more detail in the Media Coverage and Framing section.