The leaders’ visits coincide with shifts in US policy on Iran and Ukraine.
Netanyahu and Zelenskyy attend Graham funeral, meet Trump
Benjamin Netanyahu and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are in Washington to attend the funeral of former Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. Graham, a close ally of both leaders, died on July 11.
Netanyahu and Zelenskyy are also scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump. Their visits coincide with significant changes in US policy toward the wars in Iran and Ukraine.
The US has recently signed a memorandum of understanding meant to institute a 60-day pause in the Iran war. However, Trump has publicly repudiated the agreement.
Graham was a hawkish supporter of Israel and a fierce critic of Iran’s Islamic regime. He met Zelenskyy in Kyiv the day before his death and had been advancing a Senate bill to strengthen sanctions on Russia.
The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu will be the first between the two leaders since February.
Zelenskyy’s presence in Washington is significant as it coincides with signs of warmer US support for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said on social media that Ukraine’s intelligence services would share information on Russia’s support for Iran in the conflict.