Trump hosts Netanyahu, Zelensky for high level talks in Washington

The two leaders are in Washington to attend a memorial service for Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican ally of Trump and a strong advocate of military

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Tuesday, as the wars involving Iran and Ukraine enter what officials describe as a decisive and highly sensitive phase.

The two leaders are in Washington to attend a memorial service for Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican ally of Trump and a strong advocate of military support for Ukraine. However, the diplomatic spotlight has shifted to their separate meetings with the US president, which are expected to focus on two of the world’s most volatile conflicts.

Trump’s relationship with Zelensky has improved significantly in recent months as Ukrainian forces have slowed Russian advances and intensified strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Ahead of his meeting, Zelensky said strengthening anti-ballistic missile defence and expanding strategic cooperation with the United States were his top priorities, stressing that efforts to bring peace closer must continue.

Despite renewed diplomatic contacts, there is little indication that either the Ukraine war or the widening confrontation involving Iran is nearing an end. Following the collapse of a ceasefire linked to the Iran conflict, Trump has said he paused US airstrikes to allow diplomacy another opportunity, while continuing consultations with regional allies.

Netanyahu arrives in Washington amid signs of growing frustration within theWhite House over the lack of progress toward a broader settlement related to Iran. Tensions between Trump and the Israeli leader have become more visible in recent weeks, including reports of a heated phone conversation in June that was later publicly acknowledged by Trump.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Netanyahu is also seeking to reinforce his political standing ahead of Israel’s October 27 election. A public display of close coordination with Trump could help him domestically, where he has faced pressure in opinion polls.

Before departing for Washington, Netanyahu said the talks would focus primarily on Iran, while also addressing regional security and efforts to expand peace agreements with Arab states. A White House official said Trump plans to discuss the Iran conflict, tensions between Israel and Lebanon, and the future of the Abraham Accords.

The administration is reportedly continuing efforts to encourage Saudi Arabia to join the accords, although Riyadh has maintained that any normalisation with Israel would require a credible pathway toward Palestinian statehood.

Trump struck a notably warmer tone when speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, describing Netanyahu as a strong wartime leader and saying the two had worked well together.Zelensky is expected to hold a brief private meeting with Trump, likely without media present. Ukrainian officials say securing additional Patriot missile interceptors is their most urgent request, as Russian missile and drone attacks continue almost daily.

The Ukrainian president is also expected to push for expanded air-defence cooperation, progress on a drone agreement with the United States, and discussions on Trump’s proposal to allow Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptors under licence.

White House officials said the meeting with Zelensky would focus on the ongoing peace process between Russia and Ukraine and reiterated that the administration believes the time has come to seek an end to the war.

After the White House talks, Zelensky is expected to visit Capitol Hill for meetings with all 100 US senators, underscoring the continuing bipartisan interest in Ukraine’s defence despite growing debate over the pace and delivery of American military assistance.