Netanyahu and Zelensky speak in person for first time in 3 years at Graham funeral

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke and shook hands in person for the first time in three years at Senator Lindsey Graham's funeral in Washington on Tuesday. The brief, cordial conversation occurred after both leaders met separately with US President Donald Trump at the White House. They had not spoken since January 2025 and last met in person in September 2023. The two explored arranging a formal meeting in Washington but did not proceed. Haaretz reported that Netanyahu's office rebuffed a request to meet, with a Ukrainian source claiming the Prime Minister's Office proposed the sit-down but never responded after Zelensky agreed. Separately, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha and invited him to visit Israel. Sa'ar said they discussed challenges including the threat from Iran. Sybiha accepted the invitation and updated Sa'ar on Russia's escalation against civilian vessels in the Black Sea and preparations for the 85th anniversary of Babyn Yar. Ties between Jerusalem and Kyiv have been delicate since Russia's 2022 invasion, with Netanyahu maintaining a neutral stance. Ukraine has sought Israel's Iron Dome, which Netanyahu ruled out to avoid antagonizing Russia.