The meeting comes as Ukraine and Russia intensify long-range attacks while US-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
A White House official confirmed last week that Trump and Zelenskyy would meet in Washington on Tuesday. The visit coincides with a planned tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine, who died earlier this month at the age of 71.
"We are preparing for a meeting with the president of the United States and his team," Zelenskyy said. "I hope that Washington will continue to support Ukraine and that we can end this war with a dignified peace."
Since returning to office in January last year, Trump has largely halted direct US weapons shipments to Ukraine, instead relying on the PURL programme, under which European allies purchase American weapons for transfer to Kyiv.
Despite the shift, the United States remains a key partner, providing intelligence support and access to the Starlink satellite network used by Ukrainian forces.
Relations show signs of improvement
The upcoming meeting follows a turbulent period in Trump and Zelenskyy's relationship.
During a White House meeting in October 2025, Zelenskyy failed to persuade Trump to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles. Months later, the two clashed publicly during a heated Oval Office exchange in which Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of ingratitude and "gambling with World War Three."
In recent weeks, however, Trump has adopted a more conciliatory tone. During their meeting in Turkey earlier this month, he praised Zelenskyy, saying he had done "an amazing job."
Trump also announced plans to allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defence missiles, which Kyiv has sought to counter escalating Russian aerial attacks.
Support for Ukraine has also grown among some prominent figures aligned with Trump's MAGA movement, including Laura Loomer and Tim Pool, who had previously opposed military aid to Kyiv.
Last week, Zelenskyy met Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss ways to revive diplomatic efforts that have stalled since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war in the Middle East in February.
