Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were seen in a smiling conversation and handshake on the sidelines of Senator Lindsey Graham's farewell ceremony, according to reports. The footage captures a warm interaction between the two leaders.
Footage from Senator Lindsey Graham's farewell ceremony at Washington National Cathedral, released on Tuesday evening, confirms Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a smiling conversation and handshake. The visual documentation, reported by multiple outlets, marks the clearest evidence yet of the interaction between the two leaders, who were both in Washington for separate meetings with President Donald Trump earlier that day.
The Zioneer first reported on Tuesday at 21:14 Jerusalem that the two leaders were seen standing side by side at the cathedral, with Israeli sources citing the earlier White House meeting. Subsequent reports at the same time indicated they were recorded speaking and shaking hands, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha present. By 21:14, further accounts described a tight, lengthy conversation with smiles visible at the end. The thread evolved from initial unconfirmed reports of a "rare meeting" to widely circulated footage, with the latest update providing direct visual confirmation of the warm exchange.
The meeting occurred against the backdrop of a series of high-stakes diplomatic engagements in Washington. As The Zioneer reported earlier on Tuesday, President Trump met with Zelensky at 16:30 Jerusalem time, followed by a meeting with Netanyahu at 18:00. Netanyahu also attended the funeral to honor Graham, a close ally of Israel. The Zioneer reported early Wednesday morning (02:55 Jerusalem) that Netanyahu was also seen in a brief conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the same ceremony.
The substance of the Netanyahu-Zelensky conversation remains unknown. Neither leader's office has issued a statement on the content of their exchange. The footage does not include audio, leaving the nature of their discussion unconfirmed.
9 developments
- DevelopingVideo shows Netanyahu, Rubio, Hegseth in brief conversation at Graham farewell
- StrongIranian opposition reports planned meeting between Netanyahu, Zelensky
- StrongAmit Segal reports Netanyahu expected to also attend Lindsey Graham's funeral
- StrongZelenskyy says he met Lindsey Graham twice in past week, was working on tougher Russia sanctions
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