President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to address military and diplomatic priorities amid their respective conflicts.
Meetings with World Leaders
The White House described the meetings as ‘positive and productive,’ though they were closed to the press, leaving few details about what transpired. Netanyahu’s meeting lasted nearly an hour and a half.
For Zelenskyy, air defense is a pressing concern as Russia continues missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. Zelenskyy said he and Trump discussed licenses for Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptors, as well as broader questions about restarting diplomacy with Russia to eventually end the war.
Netanyahu’s discussions centered on the war in Iran and its aftermath. Today marked the first face-to-face meeting between Netanyahu and Trump since the U.S. and Israel launched the war against Iran five months ago.
Domestic Implications
The stakes of the Iran conflict are being felt domestically, with disrupted oil shipments driving up gas prices. The Pentagon estimates the war has already cost more than $37 billion.
Both leaders are also in Washington to attend the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham later today. Graham was a strong supporter of both Israel and Ukraine.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with all 100 senators at the Capitol this evening. The Senate is preparing to advance a new package of sanctions against Russia, one of Graham’s final legislative priorities.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
