Netanyahu, Zelensky speak in person in DC for first time in 3 years

By Lazar Berman

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28 July 2026, 10:34 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left), Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) attend the funeral service for US Sen. Lindsey Graham at the Washington National Cathedral on July 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks and shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral service.

The conversation looked to be quite serious but cordial, and the two leaders smiled during their handshake.

They haven’t spoken since January 2025, and haven’t met in person since September 2023. The two explored arranging a formal meeting in Washington today, but ultimately didn’t move ahead with the idea.

Earlier today, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha and invited him to visit Israel.

“We discussed the challenges facing our nations, including the threat posed by Iran,” says Sa’ar.

“Israel and Ukraine are friends, and I look forward to further deepening our cooperation, including through the establishment of new education centers in Ukrainian hospitals,” writes Sa’ar on X.