Zelenskyy arrives in US for meeting with Trump as he reveals 'priority number one'

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Mr Zelenskyy wrote on X that securing anti-ballistic defences is their "number-one priority", along with developing strategic cooperation with America, amid Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia.

He added: "Peace needs to be brought closer."

Mr Zelenskyy also paid tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who died at the age of 71 earlier this month.

"Of course, on behalf of all of Ukraine, we will honor the memory of Senator Lindsey Graham," he said.

"Together with everyone attending the ceremony in Washington, we will remember his commitment to security and freedom across the transatlantic community and around the world."

"Thank you to everyone who helps protect lives," he added.

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Mr Zelenskyy's message of thanks appears to be a nod to his first meeting with Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the White House, which ended with Mr Vance demanding Mr Zelenskyy say 'thank you'.

The uncomfortable meeting in February last year descended into chaos with tempers flaring, and the Trump administration accused of unprofessional and "bullying" conduct.

"Have you said thank you once?" Mr Vance shot at Mr Zelenskyy, adding: "It's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media."

Mr Trump claimed that Mr Zelenskyy was "gambling with World War Three".

The Ukrainian president left early and did not agree a deal to sign over mineral rights to the US in exchange for ongoing support.

Mr Zelenskyy has met with Mr Trump since the infamous White House row, with more recent encounters taking a more friendly tone and finishing with a more successful outcome.

All 100 members of the US Senate have been invited to a meeting on Tuesday evening with Mr Zelenskyy while he is in Washington for the funeral of Mr Graham, two Senate aides have said.

One of the aides said the Senate was expected to begin voting soon on a bill to impose sanctions on Russia that was championed by Mr Graham.

The legislation had been pending for about a year before Mr Graham's sudden death this month. It is meant to cut revenues from the sale of Russia's energy for its war on Ukraine.

Lawmakers eased the tariff level in the legislation to 100% from a blanket 500% included in a previous version of the bill in order to win support.

However, the bill has sparked concerns in Congress about potential new powers for President Trump.

Mr Trump has lately taken a positive tone toward Ukraine, signing off on a proposal to give a license for Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles and signalling that he would sign the Russia sanctions bill put forward by Mr Graham.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday that Russia is open to considering new ideas and proposals related to the Ukraine peace process.

She made the comments after a Ukrainian source told Reuters last week that US and Ukrainian officials had been discussing a proposal for an air ceasefire to take to Russian counterparts as part of a new round of peace talks.

The Kremlin said earlier on Monday that it had not seen any specific information regarding new peace proposals ahead of the planned meeting on Tuesday in Washington between Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy.