Benjamin Netanyahu and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are both heading to Washington at the same time, each hoping to get Donald Trump’s attention during critical moments in the wars affecting their countries.
Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, and Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, will attend the funeral on Tuesday of Lindsey Graham, the former Republican senator from South Carolina. Graham died suddenly on July 11 and was a close ally of both leaders.
Both men are scheduled to meet with the president at a time when US policy on the wars in Iran and Ukraine is shifting.
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The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu will be their first since February, when they were working closely together on preparations for strikes against Iran that began on February 28.
Since then, tensions have grown between them as the war has dragged on without clear progress. Trump has called the Israeli leader “crazy” and said, “Without me, there would be no Israel.”
Adding to the strain is ongoing uncertainty about Trump’s changing approach to the regime in Tehran. He once openly supported overthrowing it, which matched Netanyahu’s long-standing goal.
Last month, the US signed a memorandum of understanding meant to establish a 60-day ceasefire in the conflict. Under the deal, Iran would reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, and talks would begin on its nuclear program.
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It’s believed Netanyahu was not consulted on the deal, which some analysts say paid little attention to Israel’s interests.
Trump publicly rejected the agreement this month after Iran continued attacking commercial ships in the strait. US forces struck Iranian targets for 13 nights in a row, and Trump threatened to escalate further by hitting civilian infrastructure.
In recent days, however, the conflict has paused again amid reports that negotiations have resumed and concerns at the Pentagon that US missile stocks are running low. Axios reported that Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, had recommended stopping the bombing campaign because it had reached its limits in effectiveness.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in December 2025. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Netanyahu is also believed to be unhappy about a deal announced last week between the US and Saudi Arabia that allows for a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia.
Zelenskyy’s visit is equally significant, as it comes amid signs of a major shift in the Trump administration’s stance on Ukraine’s war with Russia. The White House now appears more supportive of Kyiv’s position than at any time since Trump returned to office.
Right-wing social media influencer Laura Loomer gave the latest sign of this change in Washington’s position when she met Zelenskyy in the Ukrainian capital last week. She later publicly reversed her previous support for Russia.
Trump and Zelenskyy had a friendly meeting at this month’s NATO summit in Ankara, a stark contrast to last year’s bitter confrontation in the White House, when Trump openly scolded his Ukrainian counterpart and told him, “You don’t have the cards.”
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Trump has long been open about his preference for Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin.
Over the weekend, Zelenskyy posted on social media that he had instructed Ukraine’s intelligence services to share information with the US about Russia’s support for Iran in the conflict. He wrote on X that Ukraine had recorded Russian satellite surveillance of US military facilities in the Gulf, as well as those of Washington’s allies in the region.
Graham – a hawkish supporter of Israel and fierce critic of Iran’s Islamic regime – met Zelenskyy.In Kyiv, the day before he died, he was working on moving forward a Senate bill to tighten sanctions on Russia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the scenario you described written in a natural conversational tone
General Background Questions
Q Wait are Netanyahu and Zelenskyy actually going to Lindsey Grahams funeral
A No this is a hypothetical scenario Senator Lindsey Graham is still alive and serving in the US Senate This question imagines a situation where world leaders attend his funeral to network
Q Why would they go to a funeral just to talk to Trump
A Funerals in Washington are often major gathering points for powerful people Its a common political move to attend a highprofile funeral to get brief private facetime with key figures like a former or future president
Q Is this a real event happening soon
A No it is not a real event Its a fictional scenario used to discuss how international diplomacy and political access work
The Political Strategy
Q Why would Netanyahu want to speak with Trump
A Netanyahu likely wants to discuss US support for Israel security in the Middle East and potentially a future peace deal Trump was a strong ally during his presidency so Netanyahu would want to secure that support again if Trump returns to office
Q Why would Zelenskyy want to speak with Trump
A Zelenskyy needs continued US military and financial aid to defend Ukraine Trump has been critical of the scale of aid so Zelenskyy would try to persuade him to keep supporting Ukraine if Trump wins a second term
Q Why not just schedule a normal meeting
A Normal meetings take weeks to arrange and are very public A funeral provides a chance for a casual unplanned conversation that feels more personal and less politically charged Its a way to bypass official channels
The Logistics Etiquette
Q Is it appropriate to network at a funeral
A Its considered a delicate art While the primary purpose is to pay respects Washington insiders know that side conversations happen Its seen as disrespectful if youre too obvious but a brief sincere conversation is often accepted
Q How would they even get a chance to talk to Trump
