President Donald Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, July 29, 2026. The meetings come as the wars in Ukraine and Iran reach what Reuters called critical stages. Trump said he would meet the two leaders on Tuesday, according to NPR.

Both leaders were already planning to come to Washington for the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly, CNBC reported on July 27. ABC News reported that Netanyahu and Zelenskyy were expected to meet with Trump in addition to attending the funeral.

That schedule turns a trip for a memorial service into a day of diplomacy. Reuters reported on July 28 that the meetings were happening as the wars in Ukraine and Iran were reaching critical stages.

On NPR's Morning Edition, host A Martínez asked former Pentagon official Evelyn Farkas about Trump's possible goals for the meetings. The segment aired at 6:35 a.m. ET on July 28. Farkas was a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, meaning she helped shape Pentagon policy for Russia, Ukraine, and the surrounding region. NPR published the segment online with a note that "Audio will be available later today," suggesting the story was still developing.

The Tuesday meetings will not be the first time Trump and Zelenskyy have met this month. The White House published a video of Trump meeting with the President of Ukraine on July 8. Trump also delivered remarks on July 27, the day before the current wave of reporting, according to a White House video release.

Each leader comes with different goals. Netanyahu's focus is on the war with Iran and its effects on the region. Zelenskyy wants continued U.S. military and political support for Ukraine.

The broader context here is that the Farkas interview is the most detailed public assessment from a former Pentagon official who worked directly on Ukraine policy. Her appearance on the segment suggests the Tuesday meetings are being seen as important turning points, not routine visits. NPR's decision to publish the story before the audio was ready suggests the network was rushing to get the analysis out ahead of the meetings.

The White House has not released a detailed agenda for either meeting. What is confirmed: Trump will host both leaders, the meetings are set for Tuesday, and both visitors planned to be in Washington anyway because of Graham's funeral.