Ruthless Zelensky's killer instinct impresses Trump during secret Oval Office huddle after Iran blitz - as he makes bold ask

By ELINA SHIRAZI, US SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 17:53, 28 July 2026 | Updated: 17:58, 28 July 2026 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Donald Trump inside the Oval Office Tuesday for an hour as their relationship continues to defrost following an icy encounter last year.  Their closed-door meeting comes as the Ukrainian leader seeks to shore up vital American support for his country's defense against Russia while navigating a volatile escalation connecting the war in Europe to conflict in the Middle East. Zelensky took to X after their meeting saying that he had a 'good meeting' with Trump, detailing more about their closed door visit.  'The President and I discussed licenses for Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas that could help. We also spoke about diplomacy – it’s important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated,' he wrote, adding that their teams will arrange details about their next meeting. A White House source says the pair discussed anti-ballistic defense systems and Ukraine's defense needs. Another Ukrainian source in the room says the Trump-Zelensky bilateral meeting today was ‘very practical' and that they’ve discussed ‘renewed diplomatic efforts.’ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt added that their meeting was 'positive and productive.' Ukrainians are now reportedly expecting Trump’s special envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Kyiv to follow up after the meeting.  The US has spent $175 billion in Ukraine's four-and-a-half year war with Russia, an amount that has occasionally frustrated the President. The White House meeting between the two Presidents follows a dramatic weekend strike in which Ukrainian long-range capabilities targeted an Iranian vessel operating in the Caspian Sea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Donald Trump inside the Oval Office Tuesday for an hour as their relationship continues to defrost following an icy encounter last year Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Donald Trump at the Oval Office this morning as their relationship continues to defrost following an icy encounter back in February of last year Their meeting comes as the Ukrainian leader seeks to shore up vital American support for his country's defense while navigating a volatile escalation connecting the war in Europe to conflict in the Middle East Kyiv stated the ship was transporting military cargo and drone components destined for Russian forces, emphasizing its necessity in disrupting the deepening defense alliance between Moscow and Tehran. Tehran forcefully condemned the strike, claiming the ship was a commercial vessel, confirming the death of one sailor, and warning that the attack would not go unanswered. The incident highlights the growing overlap between the war in Ukraine and broader regional instability in the Middle East. Zelensky enters the meeting looking to secure advanced defensive hardware and air defense systems from the United States, positioning Kyiv's military actions as critical to countering shared threats posed by the Russia-Iran strategic axis. Trump, who has pushed for an end to the conflict while managing surrounding Middle Eastern diplomatic crises, is weighing Ukraine's requests against broader regional stability.   After Zelensky acknowledged the weekend attack on Iran's ship, Iran's foreign minister weighed in. In a post to X, Abbas Araghchi said: 'Zelensky has attacked an Iranian commercial vessel, killing a sailor. 'A blatant UN Charter violation done at Israel's behest to drag Europe into its war. In calls with EU High Rep [sic] [Kaja] Kallas and [Russian] FM [Sergei] Lavrov, made clear that what the freeloader in Kyiv did CANNOT GO UNANSWERED.' Zelensky arrives at the White House for a meeting with Trump A White House source says the pair discussed anti-ballistic defense systems and Ukraine's defense needs. Another Ukrainian source in the room says the Trump-Zelensky bilateral meeting today was ‘very practical' and that they’ve discussed ‘renewed diplomatic efforts' Zelensky has tried to present Ukraine as a provider rather than simply a recipient of military assistance Tehran decried the attack on its vessel as an act of aggression. It said it would defend its national interests and security, while accusing Kyiv of seeking to expand the war in Ukraine. This came after Zelensky said on Saturday he would share evidence with the US showing Russia is assisting Iran in targeting US bases in the Middle East through satellite surveillance.   The relationship between Zelenskyy and Trump has noticeably warmed since their rocky Oval Office meeting roughly 17 months ago in February 2025 that erupted into an unprecedented public shouting match. This came after Zelensky said on Saturday he would share evidence with the US showing Russia is assisting Iran in targeting US bases in the Middle East through satellite surveillance. During that tense confrontation, Trump and Vice President JD Vance chastised Zelenskyy in front of reporters, calling him 'ungrateful' and 'disrespectful' over billions in American assistance, warning that he was 'gambling with millions of lives.'  He also told him bluntly that Ukraine 'didn't have the cards' without US support. Since then, the personal dynamics between the two leaders have steadily improved through several diplomatic encounters, including constructive sit-downs on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France in June and at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey earlier this month. 'We've actually developed a good relationship! Hard to believe, right? From the Oval Office to now,' the president said during his sit-down with Ukraine's leader earlier this month. He even said that he would be willing to visit Ukraine 'at the right time.'  Trump has increasingly praised their dialogue as 'very good,' signaling openness to supplying advanced American defense technology like Patriot missile systems and publicly urged that Moscow 'should make a deal' to end the war. After their oval office meeting, Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are set to attend the funeral of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham at the Washington National Cathedral. Netanyahu is also meeting with Trump in the oval office after the Ukrainian President.