Netanyahu, Zelensky to meet Trump at White House, attend senator’s funeral
Susan Heavey And DanFlinn
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump next week.
According to the statement made by Netanyahu’s office, Netanyahu will go to Washington on Monday and meet with Trump on Tuesday. Netanyahu will also attend the funeral of U.S. senator Lindsey Graham, his office said.
Zelensky is also scheduled to meet with Trump on Tuesday, a White House official said.
A Ukrainian source said Zelensky was interested in traveling to the United States, but his team was waiting for official approval of Trump’s plan from the White House.
The source added that Ukrainians and US officials are discussing a proposal to grant Russian officials an air ceasefire as part of a new round of peace proposals aimed at ending the war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The source said that Ukraine had approached Russian President Vladimir Putin with ceasefire offers in the past, but these offers were rejected. But some officials believe that the pressure on Russia’s economy from ongoing Ukrainian drone and missile attacks could soften Putin’s stance.
Zelensky spoke on Wednesday with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about hopes for renewed peace talks with Russia and said Ukrainian and US officials could meet in the US in the coming days.
Earlier Friday, right-wing activist and Trump ally Laura Loomer interviewed Zelensky and said Zelensky told her he would likely be in the United States next week for a trip that included meeting with Trump.
Loomer in a post about XHe added that Zelensky said he would attend the funeral of Graham, who died earlier this month. A memorial service for the Republican lawmaker will be held in Washington on Tuesday, and Trump will make remarks ahead of his funeral in Graham’s hometown of South Carolina on Wednesday.
Graham was a big supporter of Ukraine and has traveled there 10 times since the Russian invasion. He pressured Russia to impose sanctions and for the United States to support Kiev.
More to come
Reuters
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