Zelenskyy Reports ‘Good Meeting’ With Trump as Ukraine Seeks Patriot Production/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed weapons production and diplomatic efforts during a closed White House meeting. The talks followed Trump’s announcement that the United States would license Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air-defense systems. Zelenskyy was also in Washington to attend Sen. Lindsey Graham’s funeral and promote sanctions targeting Russia’s major energy customers.
Quick Look
- Trump and Zelenskyy met Tuesday in the Oval Office.
- The meeting was closed to the media.
- Zelenskyy described the talks as a “good meeting.”
- The leaders discussed licenses for producing Patriot interceptors.
- Zelenskyy called for renewed diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war.
- The meeting was their second during July 2026.
- Zelenskyy also planned to meet senators on Capitol Hill.
- Lawmakers are considering Graham-backed sanctions involving buyers of Russian energy.
- The proposed measures could affect China, India and other major Russian energy customers.
Full Rewritten Story
Trump and Zelenskyy hold Oval Office talks
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the White House on Tuesday to discuss defense production, U.S.-Ukraine cooperation and possible diplomatic efforts aimed at ending Russia’s war.
The closed-door Oval Office meeting took place before the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham, the influential South Carolina Republican who strongly supported Ukraine.
According to Zelenskyy, the two presidents discussed arrangements that could allow Ukraine to manufacture powerful weapons domestically. Their conversation also included “other ideas that could help” Kyiv as it continues defending itself against Russia’s invasion.
The meeting was the second between Trump and Zelenskyy during July. They previously held consequential talks on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
Ukraine seeks licenses to manufacture Patriot interceptors
During the NATO summit, Trump announced that the United States would grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot defense systems.
Kyiv has sought greater access to the American-made systems for years as it attempts to defend its cities, infrastructure and military positions from Russian missile attacks.
Following Tuesday’s White House meeting, Zelenskyy thanked Trump and his administration for their continued support. He described the conversation as a “good meeting.”
“The President and I discussed licenses for Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas that could help,” Zelenskyy said.
He also emphasized the importance of reviving negotiations intended to resolve the conflict.
“We also spoke about diplomacy – it’s important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated,” Zelenskyy said.
The White House did not immediately provide its own account of the discussion.
Zelenskyy visits Washington for Graham’s funeral
Trump welcomed Zelenskyy to the White House while the Ukrainian president was in Washington to attend Graham’s funeral.
Zelenskyy said he offered Trump his condolences following the senator’s unexpected death.
Graham was one of Ukraine’s most prominent supporters in Congress. Shortly before his death, he visited Kyiv and helped secure an agreement concerning legislation designed to punish countries that continue purchasing Russian oil, natural gas and other exports.
The senator’s support for Ukraine remained firm throughout Russia’s invasion, which began more than four years ago.
During a Tuesday interview on Fox News Channel, Trump reflected on Graham’s forceful approach to international affairs.
Trump said Graham had believed it was time to pursue an agreement with Iran but had not adopted the same position regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine.
“Ukraine, he’s very militant about,” Trump said on “Fox & Friends.” “I mean, Lindsey liked war, to be honest with you.”
Laura Loomer changes her position on Ukraine
The Trump administration’s increasingly receptive approach toward Zelenskyy comes as Laura Loomer, a far-right activist with influence inside Trump’s political circle, has publicly reconsidered her views about Russia’s invasion.
Loomer, known for inflammatory social media commentary, recently traveled through Ukraine. During the trip, she witnessed Russian attacks and interviewed Zelenskyy.
She subsequently acknowledged that she had been “bamboozled by Russian propaganda.”
Loomer said she spoke with Trump after meeting Zelenskyy in Ukraine and expected to meet the president again after returning from her trip.
“It’s looking good for Ukraine, right?” Loomer told The Associated Press. “Going into this meeting next week at the Oval Office is looking pretty good.”
Her change in position could help reinforce support for Ukraine among some of Trump’s allies who have previously questioned extensive American involvement in the war.
Zelenskyy accuses Russia of assisting Iran
Before the White House meeting, Zelenskyy also raised concerns about what he described as Russian assistance to Iran during the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The Ukrainian president alleged that Russia has collected satellite images of American military installations in the Gulf region and that some of those images later appeared in Iran.
Zelenskyy asserted that there was a “clear correlation” between Russian satellite imagery and Iranian attacks that followed.
“The purpose is clear,” Zelenskyy said earlier in July. “None of us in the world should turn a blind eye to one very simple fact: Evil always seeks ways to make things worse and spread further.”
Trump expressed skepticism Monday about the effectiveness and scale of any Russian assistance to Iran.
“I don’t think they’ve been doing it, certainly not at a high level,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling to Michigan. “And if they have, it has been very un-impactful.”
Trump nevertheless said he intended to discuss the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Senate considers Graham-backed Russia sanctions
Zelenskyy’s Washington schedule also included a planned Tuesday evening meeting with senators at the U.S. Capitol following Graham’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral.
A person familiar with the arrangement confirmed the planned meeting while speaking anonymously because the person was not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Republican leaders hope to advance sanctions legislation championed by Graham before senators leave Washington for their August recess.
The Senate is also managing several competing legislative priorities, potentially limiting the time available to complete action on the measure.
Graham’s bill has attracted dozens of supporters from both political parties. Lawmakers view its passage as a significant policy tribute to the senator, who died unexpectedly in July from a tear in his aorta.
The legislation would impose tariffs on goods imported from the five countries purchasing the largest amounts of Russian oil or natural gas. Those countries include China and India.
It would also establish sanctions against Putin, senior members of Russia’s political and military leadership, Russian financial institutions and major energy projects.
The sanctions are intended to increase economic pressure on Moscow and reduce the revenue available to support its continuing military operations in Ukraine.
No final agreement on the legislation had been announced following the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting.
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