Trump, Netanyahu and Zelenskyy gather at White House amid tight security and pro-Palestine protests

Both Netanyahu and Zelenskyy are also attending the funeral of Graham, a key ally who has vigorously lobbied the Trump administration to support both countries amid their respective wars.

Graham, the South Carolina Republican who died suddenly of a heart ailment on July 11 at 71, was known in Washington as a war hawk who consistently pushed for an interventionist US role on the global stage and was a staunch supporter of both Israel and Ukraine.

Only a day before his death, he met with Zelenskyy in Kiev — his tenth visit to Ukraine since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022.

After Graham‘s funeral, Zelenskyy is expected to head to the US Capitol for talks with senators, who are preparing to vote on a bipartisan package of new sanctions against Russia — legislation that Graham had spent his final days working to advance.

Trump-Netanyahu friction

After his meeting with the US leader, Netanyahu posted a video posted on his Instagram account, described his meeting with Trump as “excellent.”

He said that it was “a conversation with full partnership, with mutual support, with an understanding of the common goal of ensuring that Iran does not have nuclear weapons, and other goals as well. One of the best conversations I’ve had with the President of the United States, our friend Donald Trump.”

Netanyahu said that Trump’s “entire senior team” was present at the meeting, as well as “our senior team,” and that it was “an opportunity to exchange ideas and to coordinate arrangements that are important for the security and future of the State of Israel.”

In April, relations between Trump and Netanyahu hit a low during Pakistan-backed ceasefire talks with Iran, as Trump directed profanity-laced tirades at his Israeli ally.

On Tuesday, hours before the two leaders were due to meet, Trump said Netanyahu should have raised concerns about Iran‘s underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility privately rather than publicly.  

Trump suggested Netanyahu was highlighting the site in an attempt to persuade Washington to remain involved in the war with Iran.  

“I don‘t need Bibi to tell me,“ Trump stressed, adding that the US was fully aware of developments at the facility and knew “exactly what’s going on.“