Zelenskyy and Trump huddle on Patriot production, diplomacy in White House talks

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the White House on Tuesday (July 28, 2026) ahead of Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral, with discussions focused on enabling Ukraine to manufacture its own advanced weapons and reinvigorating diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia.

According to a social media post by Mr. Zelenskyy after the closed-door Oval Office meeting, the leaders discussed “licenses for Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas that could help” Ukraine defend against Russian missile attacks. The meeting followed a NATO summit earlier this month in Ankara, Turkey, where Mr. Trump announced the U.S. would grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot defence systems — a long-standing request from Kyiv.

Mr. Zelenskyy thanked Mr. Trump for the “good meeting” and for the Republican administration’s continued support in the war that began with Russia’s invasion more than four years ago. He also noted that he offered condolences for the death of Senator Graham, a close Trump ally whose final public act was visiting Kyiv and securing an agreement on sanctions targeting countries that purchase Russian oil, gas and other exports.

“We also spoke about diplomacy – it’s important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated,” Mr. Zelenskyy added. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the meeting.

Mr. Trump, in a Fox News Channel interview earlier Tuesday, recalled Senator Graham’s hawkish stance on Ukraine, saying the South Carolina Republican “liked war, to be honest with you.” Mr. Trump noted that Graham had suggested making a deal with Iran but offered no similar advice for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The meeting comes amid a notable shift by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has Mr. Trump’s ear. Ms. Loomer, known for her incendiary social media posts, recently travelled through Ukraine, witnessing the war firsthand and interviewing Mr. Zelenskyy. She admitted she had been “bamboozled by Russian propaganda” and said she expects to meet with Mr. Trump after returning from her trip. “It’s looking good for Ukraine,” she told The Associated Press.

Ahead of the White House meeting, Mr. Zelenskyy warned that Russia has been aiding Iran by providing satellite imagery of U.S. military bases in the Gulf region, which later appears in Iranian strikes. He called on the world not to ignore “one very simple fact: Evil always seeks ways to make things worse and spread further.”

Mr. Trump downplayed the impact of any potential Russian assistance for Iran, telling reporters on Air Force One on Monday: “I don’t think they’ve been doing it, certainly not at a high level. And if they have, it has been very un-impactful.” However, he said he would raise the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr. Zelenskyy’s Washington itinerary includes a visit to the Capitol to meet with senators after Senator Graham’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday evening.