Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Jul 29: US President Donald Trump held separate meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House as Washington stepped up diplomatic efforts over the ongoing conflicts involving Ukraine and the Middle East.
The closed-door meetings were held separately in the Oval Office, with the White House not allowing media access.
"President Trump has concluded his meetings in the Oval Office with President Zelensky and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Both meetings were positive and productive!" White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X.
Zelenskyy arrived at the White House in the morning through the West Wing, while Netanyahu departed shortly after noon. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office later released photographs of the meeting, with an Israeli official describing the discussions as "very positive".
According to White House officials, Trump and Netanyahu discussed the conflict with Iran, negotiations involving Lebanon and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords.
Netanyahu was also expected to brief Trump on intelligence related to alleged Iranian activity at Pickaxe Mountain, an underground site believed to be linked to Tehran's nuclear programme.
However, Trump expressed displeasure over Netanyahu's public comments about the matter before the meeting.
"I heard Bibi announce that. I said, 'Why don't you just tell it to me? Why do you have to announce it to the world?'" Trump told Fox News, referring to the Israeli leader by his nickname.
The US President has indicated he prefers renewed diplomatic engagement with Iran, while Israel has continued to advocate sustained pressure on Tehran. Acknowledging differences between the two allies, Trump said they remained "pretty close" despite "a little difference".
Trump also warned that the United States could target Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if Tehran failed to reach an agreement.
Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy focused on continued US support for Ukraine and efforts to revive peace negotiations with Russia.
Following the meeting, Zelenskyy said the discussions covered air defence systems and diplomatic efforts to end the war. He arrived in Washington seeking progress on additional sanctions against Russia, a drone agreement, Patriot air defence systems and peace talks.
The White House reiterated that Trump remains committed to helping end the Russia-Ukraine conflict and expressed optimism about securing a future peace agreement.