The story

President Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Tuesday. The meeting comes as Trump has recently changed his tone toward Ukraine, telling Zelensky during their last encounter in Turkey earlier this month that he had done "an amazing job" and announcing his intention to allow Ukraine to produce anti-aircraft Patriot missiles. Relations between the two leaders have long been strained, including heated exchanges in the Oval Office in February 2025 when Trump accused Zelensky of ingratitude and "gambling with World War Three."

Some MAGA-aligned figures have recently voiced support for Ukraine after previously opposing aid to Kyiv. Conservative activist Laura Loomer visited Ukraine last week, interviewed Zelensky, and said she now fully supports Kyiv, explaining she had been "bamboozled by Russian propaganda." Right-wing broadcaster Tim Pool wrote on Thursday, "I see now the importance of the Ukrainian victory against Russia. I hope Trump and the people of the United States will lend their support," after declaring in 2024 that "Ukraine is one of the greatest enemies of our nation."

However, many MAGA-aligned House Republicans have not changed their positions. Rep. Tim Burchett, an America First and MAGA-aligned Republican from Tennessee, said he is not coming around to supporting Ukraine. Some MAGA-aligned Hill Republicans argued they believe Loomer is getting paid to push her new Ukraine-friendly position and that no Republican lawmaker has changed their mind about Ukraine. Zelensky's priorities for the meeting include sanctions, a drone deal, Patriots, and peace talks, according to a person familiar with his plans.