US President Donald Trump held separate high-stakes meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Tuesday. Both leaders traveled to Washington primarily to attend the funeral of the late US Senator Lindsey Graham.
Prior to his closed-door session with Netanyahu their first since the US and Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran Trump publicly rebuked the Israeli leader. Speaking to Fox News, Trump criticized Netanyahu for publicly discussing Iran's underground "Pickaxe Mountain" nuclear facility also suggesting the move was designed to force continued US involvement in the conflict.
Trump warned that the US could easily destroy the nuclear site and Iran's power grids if a diplomatic resolution is not reached. Despite these threats, he noted that Washington is currently engaged in "very good talks" with Tehran regarding its nuclear program. Furthermore, Trump dismissed Israeli objections over potential US military sales to Türkiye defending President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ankara as crucial allies.
In a separate Oval Office meeting, President Zelenskyy discussed securing US licenses for Ukraine to domestically produce Patriot missile interceptors which he stated are vital for the country's ongoing defense.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described both closed-door meetings as "positive and productive." Following the diplomatic talks, Trump, Netanyahu and Zelenskyy joined other conservative leaders at memorial services for Senator Graham, whom both visiting leaders praised as a steadfast ally of their respective nations.
