Zelensky and Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington Ahead of Senator Graham's Funeral

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington on Tuesday and will meet President Donald Trump at the White House at 09:30 ET, followed by a meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders are in the capital to attend the funeral services for Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime advocate of U.S. support for Ukraine and Israel. The main service will be held at the National Cathedral, with Trump slated to deliver remarks.

The meetings are closed to the press, and officials said no details of the discussions are available at this time. Zelensky has previously emphasized the need for additional anti-ballistic-missile defense, including a U.S. licence for Ukraine to produce Patriot systems, a commitment Trump made at the July NATO summit in Ankara.

Netanyahu’s visit marks his first meeting with Trump since the escalation of the conflict in Iran. Both foreign leaders are expected to use the occasion to reaffirm their countries’ requests for continued U.S. assistance.

"America and the world have lost a determined leader," Zelensky said in a statement honoring Graham, who died on July 11 after returning from a trip to Kyiv.

Graham, a senior Republican senator, had been a vocal supporter of military aid to Ukraine and Israel and had lobbied for stronger sanctions on Russia. His death prompted tributes from leaders in Kyiv and Jerusalem, underscoring his influence on U.S. policy toward the two conflicts.