Zelensky Meets Trump Ahead of Graham Funeral

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House on Tuesday, where he is due to meet President Donald Trump ahead of the funeral of US Senator Lindsey Graham. The two leaders are expected to hold a brief private meeting without media present.

The visit comes as relations between Washington and Kyiv have improved in recent months, although the United States continues to withhold part of the military aid previously approved for Ukraine. According to a letter sent to Congress, the Pentagon does not plan to release the remaining $400m allocated to Ukraine until fiscal year 2029. The decision has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans.

Zelensky hopes to discuss strengthening Ukraine's air defenses, finalizing the bilateral drone agreement and securing a US license to manufacture Patriot missiles in Ukraine. After the White House meeting, he is scheduled to travel to Congress for talks with senators.

Graham, who died on 11 July at the age of 71, was one of Ukraine's strongest supporters in Washington. The day before his death, he visited Kyiv for the 10th time since Russia's full-scale invasion and advocated for a new package of sanctions against Moscow.

Ballistic missile defense and strategic cooperation with the United States are the “number one priority”, Zelensky said upon his arrival in Washington.

The White House said Trump also intends to discuss the peace process with the Ukrainian president. “Now is the time to end the war”, an administration official said.

(Reuters, bak)