Trump to meet Zelensky at White House, as MAGA voices shift on Ukraine

President https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_blank">Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr https://www.axios.com/2026/03/30/zelensky-russia-iran-war-ukraine" target="_blank">Zelensky at the White House on Tuesday, a White House official confirmed to Axios.

The big picture: The visit gives Zelensky a chance to shore up support in Washington after the https://www.axios.com/2026/07/12/lindsey-graham-dies-suddenly-71" target="_blank">death of one of Ukraine's congressional champions.

• It also comes as Russia https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-strike-attack-missiles-drones-83165906f926fee33eb3d9026f9e9f9b" target="_blank">intensifies its missile campaign.
• Trump and Zelensky last met earlier this month at the NATO summit in Turkey, where they discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defenses and diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Driving the news: https://abcnews.com/International/zelenskyy-meet-trump-white-house-week-official/story?id=135089520" target="_blank">ABC News first reported Saturday that Zelensky would meet Trump this week.

A White House official independently confirmed the meeting Sunday to Axios.

• Zelensky will be in Washington for Sen. Lindsey Graham's https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D50CDA82-2362-42FA-8AC6-C671A8DF0F83&utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">funeral, ABC reported, citing a Ukrainian official.
• Graham, one of Ukraine's most forceful supporters in Congress, met Zelensky in Kyiv shortly before his death.

The intrigue: The visit also comes amid a sudden and surprise https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/07/26/from-kremlin-propagandist-to-ukraine-advocate-the-spectacular-conversion-of-maga-influencer-laura-loomer-and-why-it-matters_6755851_4.html" target="_blank">shift by two prominent MAGA voices in favor of Kyiv.

• Laura https://apnews.com/article/laura-loomer-trump-ukraine-russia-interview-101852f6deab17e1d8d215fdde675ee5" target="_blank">Loomer, a far-right activist and close Trump ally, met Zelensky in Kyiv last week after years of minimizing Russia's invasion and opposing U.S. support for Ukraine.
• Loomer https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/25/politics/laura-loomer-ukraine-zelensky-trump" target="_blank">said she had been "bamboozled by Russian propaganda." Trump shared her interview with Zelensky https://truthsocial.com/%40realDonaldTrump/posts/116972245395063508" target="_blank">on Truth Social, writing, "Very good!!!"
• Right-wing podcaster Tim Pool, who also had long opposed U.S. support for Ukraine, said last week that he now sees thehttps://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/07/26/from-kremlin-propagandist-to-ukraine-advocate-the-spectacular-conversion-of-maga-influencer-laura-loomer-and-why-it-matters_6755851_4.html" target="_blank"> importance of a Ukrainian victory.

What to watch: Russia has stepped up its use of ballistic missiles, striking Kyiv again Sunday.

• Ukraine, meanwhile, has intensified long-range drone attacks against Russian targets.