Zelensky and Netanyahu meet Trump as wars in Ukraine and Iran drag on

Image source, Zelensky Social Media Account/HandoutImage caption, Ukraine is seeking Patriot air defence missiles to combat Russian aerial attacksByBernd Debusmann JrWhite House reporter Published28 July 2026, 21:08 BSTUpdated 26 minutes agoPresident Donald Trump has held separate meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which the White House described as "positive and productive".The two leaders were in Washington to attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch supporter of Israel and advocate for US aid to Ukraine, who died earlier this month.Zelensky and Trump discussed Kyiv's hope that the US would help bolster its air defences, although no formal commitment has so far been announced.

Netanyahu, for his part, arrived at a time when the US-Israel ties have been frayed by diverging views on Iran.Ahead of the visit, Zelensky was expected to press Trump to follow through on a promise he made at this month's Nato summit to grant Ukraine a licence to produce Patriot interceptor missiles. Ukraine has long sought American Patriot missiles, which Kyiv says could be used to defend Ukrainian cities from escalating Russian drone and ballistic missile attacks across the country.

But the closed-door meeting ended without any firm announcement over US military assistance to Ukraine. In a post on X, Zelensky thanked Trump for "everything we do together to protect the lives of Ukrainians". Zelensky added that the two discussed the Patriot licences and "several ideas that could help".

"We also spoke about diplomacy," he wrote. "It's important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated." In a separate post, Zelensky said he also met representatives of US defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin to discuss "further development of our cooperation".

"Ukraine has a lot to share with those who help us protect lives," he added. "We spoke about our joint capabilities related to Patriots and other systems. Our teams are already working on specific solutions to move to co-production as quickly as possible and increase our capabilities to protect lives."

Zelensky was also planning to meet a bipartisan group of Senators who are moving forward with legislation to sanction buyers of Russian oil and gas to punish Moscow for the war in Ukraine. Image source, Maâayan Toaf (GPO)/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)Netanyahu arrived at the White House shortly after Zelensky left. The discussion between him and Trump was expected to focus heavily on the conflict in Iran.

Once friendly ties between Trump and Netanyahu have become more tense in recent months, with Trump frequently criticising Israel for continuing strikes in Lebanon and ignoring a ceasefire. Following the meeting, the prime minister told Israeli media that the two had "an understanding of a shared goal, to ensure that Iran does not have nuclear weapons, and other goals as well". "One of the best conversations I have had with the president of the United States," he added.

A photograph of the two leaders shared on Netanyahu's X account shows the two men seated in the Oval Office, smiling towards the camera. Related topicsVolodymyr ZelenskyWar in UkraineUnited StatesLindsey GrahamIsraelBenjamin NetanyahuIran warMore on this storyAs the US pauses the war with Iran, is Trump really running out of weapons?Published1 day agoTrump says Iran war talks taking place during lull in strikesPublished1 day agoZelensky to press Trump on air defences while in WashingtonPublished10 hours ago 28 July 2026, 21:08 BST As the US pauses the war with Iran, is Trump really running out of weapons?

Published1 day ago 1 day ago Trump says Iran war talks taking place during lull in strikesPublished1 day ago 1 day ago Zelensky to press Trump on air defences while in WashingtonPublished10 hours ago 10 hours ago