Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, ahead of the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham. The meeting marked their second in-person discussion this month as Zelenskyy travelled to Washington to honour Graham, whose final official visit was to Kyiv, where he secured agreement on a sanctions package targeting countries that buy Russian oil, gas and other exports.
Soon after arriving in the US, Zelenskyy said in a social media post that his “number one priority” is “anti-ballistic defence and strategic cooperation with America.”
“Peace needs to be brought closer,” said Zelenskyy.
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of the closed-door meeting, said Trump would focus on the “ongoing peace process” between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump and Zelenskyy had also met on the sidelines of the NATO summit earlier this month in Ankara, Turkey, where Trump announced that the US would grant Ukraine a licence to manufacture Patriot air defence systems. Calling their ties positive, Trump said they had “actually developed a good relationship” and added that Ukraine would be able to produce the systems “pretty quickly.”
Trump reflects on Graham as sanctions bill gains momentum
Speaking to Fox News Channel on Tuesday, Trump recalled Graham’s strong support for Ukraine, saying the South Carolina Republican’s position had never changed.
“Ukraine he's very militant about,” Trump said on “Fox & Friends.” “I mean, Lindsey liked war, to be honest with you.”
Trump added that Graham had suggested it was time to strike a deal with Iran but had never made a similar proposal regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Following Graham’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral, Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet US senators at the Capitol on Tuesday evening. Republican leaders hope to advance Graham’s bipartisan sanctions legislation this week before the Senate breaks for its August recess.
The bill, regarded as Graham’s principal legislative legacy after his death from an aortic tear, proposes tariffs on goods from the five largest buyers of Russian oil and natural gas, including China and India. It also includes sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military leaders, financial institutions and energy projects.
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Loomer backs Ukraine after visit as Zelenskyy raises Iran concerns
Ahead of the White House meeting, Zelenskyy received unexpected support from far-right activist Laura Loomer, who travelled through Ukraine, met the Ukrainian president and later said she had been “bamboozled by Russian propaganda.”
Loomer said she spoke with Trump after meeting Zelenskyy and expected to meet the US president again after returning from Ukraine.
“It's looking good for Ukraine, right?” Loomer said during an interview with The Associated Press. “Going into this meeting next week at the Oval Office is looking pretty good.”
Zelenskyy also alleged that Russia had been helping Iran by capturing satellite imagery of US bases in the Gulf region, claiming the images later appeared in Iran before attacks.
“The purpose is clear,” Zelenskyy said earlier this month. “None of us in the world should turn a blind eye to one very simple fact: Evil always seeks ways to make things worse and spread further.”
Trump, however, downplayed the allegation while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.
“I don't think they've been doing it, certainly not at a high level,” Trump said. “And if they have, it has been very un-impactful.”
He added that he intended to raise the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
