Trump hosts back-to-back White House meetings with Zelenskyy and Netanyahu

On Tuesday, Donald Trump held consecutive Oval Office meetings with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Benjamin Netanyahu. Zelenskyy sought additional firepower for Ukraine's air defenses, while Netanyahu aimed to repair his complicated relationship with the US president.

Netanyahu's visit was his first to the Oval Office since the joint US-Israel military campaign against Iran began on February 28. In recent weeks, Trump has called Netanyahu “crazy” and said “Without me, there would be no Israel,” as tensions grew over Netanyahu’s push to continue fighting Iran and Hezbollah while Trump pursued diplomatic channels with Tehran.

Both leaders face domestic pressures: Netanyahu in a tough re-election fight, and Trump under pressure to end an unpopular war that has pushed up prices ahead of November’s midterms. Outside the White House, protesters chanted “Netanyahu, you’re a tyrant” and “Bibi, you’re not welcome here.”

The closed-door meeting lasted about an hour and covered Iran, a framework deal with Lebanon, and possible expansion of the Abraham Accords, according to a White House official. Netanyahu also needed to reassure Trump he would not obstruct US-led diplomacy in Gaza and Lebanon, as US public support for Israel has declined.

Zelenskyy’s meeting was described as positive by both sides. He discussed licensing arrangements to allow Ukraine to manufacture its own interceptors for Patriot missile systems and stressed the importance of reinvigorating diplomacy. Zelenskyy also offered condolences for the death of US Senator Lindsey Graham. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called both meetings “positive and productive.”