Zelensky Invited to Graham Funeral as Kyiv Plans Possible Trump Meeting

President Volodymyr Zelensky is considering a diplomatic visit to the US before the end of July that could include attending the funeral of late US Senator Lindsey Graham and holding a bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump, according to Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne.

The Presidential Office is working on plans for the visit, Suspilne reported Wednesday, citing diplomatic sources. The potential meeting with Trump would focus on continued diplomatic efforts aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.

According to the report, Zelensky has received an invitation to attend the farewell ceremony for Graham, one of Ukraine’s most prominent supporters in the US Senate and the driving force behind legislation seeking additional sanctions against Russia.

The trip, however, has not yet been finalized. The full schedule, list of meetings and participants, as well as the duration of Zelensky’s stay in the US, remain under discussion.

Diplomatic sources also told Suspilne that Ukrainian officials are considering who could lead the delegation if Zelensky ultimately cannot attend.

Graham died unexpectedly on the evening of July 11 at the age of 71, just one day after meeting Zelensky in Kyiv.

A preliminary finding from the Washington, D.C. medical examiner identified an aortic dissection – a tear in the body’s main artery – linked to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

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Memorial events for the senator are scheduled for July 28 in Washington and July 29 in South Carolina.

During what became his final visit to Ukraine, Graham met Zelensky on July 10, with the two discussing Ukraine’s air defense needs and the senator’s push for tougher sanctions against Russia.

Graham also toured a production facility operated by Ukrainian defense-tech company SkyFall, where he was shown the production of Vampire heavy bomber drones, Shrike FPV drones and P1-SUN interceptors designed to counter Russian Shahed attack drones. He used the visit to advocate closer US-Ukrainian cooperation on drone technology.

News of the possible US trip comes as Kyiv and Washington appear to be intensifying diplomatic contacts.

Earlier Wednesday, Zelensky held a call with Trump representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner concerning the resumption of negotiations with Russia, according to presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn.