Zelensky to press Trump on air defences while in Washington

Ukrainian President Zelensky is in Washington to discuss bolstering Ukraine's air defense systems with Donald Trump, amid escalating Russian attacks. Zelensky also plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with both leaders attending the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham. The article notes a potential overlap between the Ukraine war and a "US-Israel war with Iran," citing a Ukrainian strike on an Iranian cargo ship and Zelensky's claims of Russia sharing satellite imagery with Tehran. Meanwhile, Moscow reported intercepting over 390 Ukrainian drones. Zelensky's previous discussions with Trump in July preceded Ukrainian strikes on Russian logistics hubs.

President Donald Trump is hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House for the seventh time during Trump's second term. This meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, is the first since the US and Israel jointly launched a war with Iran on February 28. The war has reportedly led to growing wariness of Israel among the US public and within some segments of Trump's Republican Party, with polls indicating declining approval for the economic costs of the conflict. The meeting occurs as Trump signals a new diplomatic overture with Iran, following the dissolution of a previous memorandum of understanding that Netanyahu's government had opposed. Despite potential political risks and past criticisms from within the administration, Trump continues to express strong support for Netanyahu and Israel.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, prior to the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham. This meeting marks their second encounter this month. Zelenskyy is traveling to Washington to honor Graham, whose final legislative effort involved securing an agreement on sanctions against countries purchasing Russian oil and gas. Notably, far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has influence with Trump, has recently shifted her stance on Russia's war against Ukraine after witnessing its impact firsthand and interviewing Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy has also expressed concerns that Russia is aiding Iran by providing satellite imagery of U.S. bases. Trump, however, downplayed the significance of potential Russian assistance to Iran. The visit also includes Zelenskyy meeting with senators on Capitol Hill.

Funeral ceremonies for the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham are scheduled to begin in Washington D.C. on Tuesday. Attendees will include Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will also meet with Donald Trump at the White House. Graham, a foreign policy hawk, died at age 71 shortly after returning from Kyiv, where he had been working on a Russia sanctions bill. Memorial events will take place on Capitol Hill and at Washington National Cathedral, with Trump listed as a speaker. Ceremonies will continue in Graham's home state of South Carolina on Wednesday. Recent footage showed Graham expressing strong support for Netanyahu and Israel, and advocating for military action against Iran.

Senator Lindsey Graham will be honored with memorial services in Washington, D.C., beginning Tuesday. His remains will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, followed by a funeral service at Washington National Cathedral. President Donald Trump is expected to deliver remarks at the cathedral, with foreign leaders including Benjamin Netanyahu and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in attendance. Graham, who served over 30 years in Congress and was known for his dealmaking and foreign policy advocacy, died suddenly on July 11 at age 71. The services will conclude with burial in South Carolina on Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting Washington, D.C., to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting, occurring on Tuesday, is primarily to attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally and supporter of Israel. Discussions are expected to focus on the war on Iran, Israeli actions in Lebanon, and the Abraham Accords. The visit also coincides with increased Israeli raids and settler violence in the occupied West Bank, and precedes upcoming elections in Israel. Netanyahu's visit is his first for talks with Trump since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Tehran.

Rightwing influencer Laura Loomer has reversed her stance on Ukraine following a visit to Kyiv, where she met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Loomer, who previously downplayed Russia's invasion and amplified Kremlin propaganda, experienced an air raid and stated she now believes in "moral clarity" regarding the conflict. Zelenskyy told Loomer that he expects to meet Donald Trump in Washington next week, a meeting Trump later praised. Loomer's visit and subsequent shift in rhetoric are seen by some as a potential break from Russian narratives within the MAGA movement. She also visited religious sites and a missile-damaged McDonald's, questioning Russia's portrayal of itself as a protector of Christianity.

Laura Loomer, a prominent ally of former US President Donald Trump, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine on Thursday. This meeting follows a significant shift in Loomer's public stance on the war, as she had previously downplayed Russia's invasion and shared Russian propaganda with her followers. During her visit, Loomer experienced an air raid and acknowledged that her past indifference to the conflict was not appropriate. Her change of heart and visit to Ukraine could have political implications in Washington.

Far-right American activist Laura Loomer, a pro-Israel Trump ally, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday for an interview on her Rumble show. Loomer, who previously held hostile views towards Ukraine and had repeated Russian propaganda, stated she was wrong and now believes Russia is aiding Iran in killing U.S. soldiers. She expressed indifference to potential disavowal by Republicans opposing Ukraine aid, citing Russia's alleged funding of Iran with weapons. Zelenskyy's office welcomed Loomer's visit, emphasizing the importance of her seeing the situation firsthand. Loomer, known for her anti-Islam stance and support for Trump's policies, has a close personal relationship with the former president.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he met with senior representatives from U.S. company Raytheon to discuss jointly producing Patriot air defense systems. This follows a recent pledge by U.S. President Donald Trump to grant Ukraine a license for Patriot production. Zelenskyy expressed a desire to expedite a coproduction agreement, as Ukraine urgently needs these systems to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks. While Raytheon has not commented, Zelenskyy stated that government and private sector teams will remain in close contact. Experts caution that establishing production in Ukraine could take years. The article also notes Ukraine's increased drone attacks on Russian targets and Russia's claim of downing numerous Ukrainian drones.