First Volodymyr Zelensky, then Benjamin NetanyahuDonald Trump received the Ukrainian president and the Israeli prime minister at the White House on a day dedicated to key foreign policy issues, on the sidelines of the commemoration of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. Both meetings were held behind closed doors, but before and after the talks the leaders released numerous statements outlining the topics discussed.
Trump: "It's time to stop the war in Ukraine."
On the eve of the meeting with Zelensky, a White House official had anticipated that “President Trump will discuss the ongoing peace process between Russia and Ukraine. The time has come to end the war.”
Arriving in Washington, the Ukrainian president had set the priorities of the summit: “My agenda includes meetings with President Trump, his team, and those who can support our defense. Our number one priority is ballistic missile defense. and strategic cooperation with the United States. Peace must come closer.”
Zelensky on social media: "Positive meeting"
At the end of the face-to-face meeting in the Oval Office, Zelensky described the meeting as positive. “A good meeting with President Trump,” he wrote on social mediaThe Ukrainian president added: “Thank you for everything we do together to protect the lives of Ukrainians and bring peace closer.”
Going into the merits of the discussion, Zelensky explained: “We discussed licensing for the production of Patriot interceptors and several other ideas.” And again: “We also talked about diplomacyOur teams will organize the details of the next contacts.” Finally, thanks to the United States: “I am grateful to the United States for its unwavering support.”
Trump meets with Netanyahu and denies the argument: "Bibi was fantastic."
A few hours later, it was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's turn. Before the meeting, Trump had emphasized his personal relationship with the Israeli leader. “Bibi was fantastic”, he told reporters aboard Air Force One. The meeting was also attended by the envoy Steve Witkoff, the Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and the secretary of state Marco Rubio.
Trump, however, denied rumors that Netanyahu was supposed to update him on information regarding Iran's nuclear program. “I don't need Bibi to tell me these things”, he said. And he added: “He's telling me this because he wants me to stay involved.”, implying that there was no irritation over the advance information leaked on the eve of the summit.
Netanyahu: "An excellent meeting, one of the best we've ever had."
Before leaving for Washington, Netanyahu had clearly indicated the objectives of the mission. “In these complex times we must act with great determination and great wisdom.”, he declared. “We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, especially Iran,” he added.
The Israeli Prime Minister also reiterated: “Our goal is to protect our security and expand the circle of peace around us.”At the end of the meeting at the White House, Netanyahu described it as "an excellent meeting." It was "a conversation marked by full cooperation, mutual support, and awareness of the common goal of ensuring that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons, among other objectives. One of the best conversations I have ever had with the President of the United States, our friend Donald Trump." The Prime Minister then reiterated his full agreement with Washington on the Iranian issue: “We share the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”
Reactions from the Middle East
Meanwhile, Iran has proposed in its talks with Oman the construction of a temporary sea route through the Strait of HormuzIranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated this in an interview broadcast on state television. According to Tehran's proposal, Iran would fully control the incoming and part of the outgoing route, while Oman would manage traffic in the opposite direction. Gharibabadi added that Oman had proposed a 50-50 deal, but Tehran rejected it, deeming it insufficient to address Iran's concerns.
Tehran also said that “has no intention of negotiating with the United States”, but talks with Oman are proceeding "step by step," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said. "We must not accustom America to fighting whenever it wants and sitting at the negotiating table whenever it wants," Gharibabadi said, according to state television, Al Jazeera reports, arguing that it was Washington "sending messages begging for an end to the conflict." Gharibabadi reiterated that Iran will not recognize a southern route through the Strait of Hormuz and stated that mine clearance operations are Iran's exclusive responsibility.
The files on the table
According to the White House, the discussions with Zelensky focused on the peace process, military cooperation, and Patriot systems, while with Netanyahu the focus was on Iran, the situation in Lebanon, and the Abraham Accords. No joint statements were released at the end of the two summits, but All parties described the meetings as positive. and confirmed their willingness to continue the dialogue in the coming days.
