Two wartime leaders are converging on Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plan to attend Tuesday’s funeral for former Senator Lindsey Graham, and both are scheduled to meet President Donald Trump as U.S. policy on the Iran and Ukraine conflicts remains in flux.
Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina, died suddenly on July 11 of an aortic dissection. He had returned from Ukraine just hours earlier, where he met Zelenskyy about U.S. sanctions on Russia. Graham was a close ally of both visiting leaders, a hawkish supporter of Israel, and a fierce critic of Iran’s Islamic regime. He had been advancing a Senate bill to strengthen sanctions on Russia at the time of his death.
Netanyahu flew to Washington on Monday at Trump’s invitation. He last visited in February. Back then, the two leaders were in lockstep preparing for strikes against Iran that began on 28 February. The war has since drifted inconclusively. Tensions between the pair have risen. Trump called the Israeli premier “crazy” and declared, “Without me, there would be no Israel.” The friction stems from continuing uncertainty over Trump’s zigzagging approach to the regime in Tehran, which he once openly supported toppling, a stance that aligned with Netanyahu’s long-held position.
Last month, the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding meant to institute a 60-day ceasefire in the Iran conflict, during which Iran would reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and negotiations would begin over the country’s nuclear program. Netanyahu is not believed to have been consulted on the deal. Some analysts say it took little account of Israel’s interests. Trump publicly repudiated the agreement this month. Iran kept attacking commercial ships in the strait. U.S. forces struck Iranian targets for 13 consecutive nights. Trump threatened to escalate further by hitting civilian infrastructure. The conflict has paused once again. Reports indicate negotiations have resumed, and the Pentagon has expressed concerns that U.S. missile stocks are running low.
Axios reported that Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, had recommended stopping the bombing campaign because it had reached the limits of effectiveness. Netanyahu is also believed to be unhappy over a deal announced last week between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia allowing for a civil Saudi nuclear program. He wrote on X on Monday that he plans to discuss Israel’s security and strength with Trump, stating, “Our goal is clear: to safeguard Israel’s security, strengthen its power, and expand the circle of peace around us.”
A shift on Ukraine
Zelenskyy’s visit coincides with signs of a dramatic change in Trump administration posture toward Ukraine’s war with Russia. The White House appears more supportive of Kyiv’s position than at any time since Trump’s return to office. The rightwing social media influencer Laura Loomer met Zelenskyy in the Ukrainian capital last week before publicly recanting her previous support for Russia. Trump and Zelenskyy had a cordial meeting at this month’s Nato summit in Ankara. That meeting contrasted starkly with last year’s bitter confrontation in the White House, when Trump openly berated his Ukrainian counterpart and told him, “You don’t have the cards.” Trump has long been open in voicing his preference for Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.S. and Ukrainian officials have been discussing new peace proposals to end the war, which began with Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion.
The two conflicts overlapped over the weekend. Ukraine struck an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, killing a sailor. Kyiv said the vessel was transporting weapons to aid Russia. Tehran described the incident as a “hostile and criminal act.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an X post Sunday that Israel was the driver in the Ukrainian attack. Zelenskyy posted on social media at the weekend that he had instructed Ukraine’s intelligence services to share information on Russia’s support for Iran with the U.S. He wrote that Ukraine had recorded Russian satellite surveillance of U.S. military facilities in the Gulf and those of Washington’s allies in the region.
Honoring a senator
Graham’s death prompted praise from both leaders. Zelenskyy said he was “deeply saddened.” He noted that Graham visited Ukraine 10 times during the years of Russia’s full-scale invasion and “was here with our people when it was most needed.” Netanyahu described Graham as a “true friend” who “understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable.” On Tuesday, Air Force servicemembers will carry Graham’s remains into the Capitol for recognition of his years of public service. His remains will then be transported to the Washington National Cathedral for the funeral service, which will include an address from Trump. A second service follows on Wednesday in Columbia, South Carolina, with a funeral procession outside the statehouse, an F-16 flyover from the 169th Fighter Wing of the McEntire Joint National Guard Base, and a service at the First Baptist Church of Columbia. The family will hold a private burial in Pickens County.