Trump talks with Putin and Zelensky before NATO summit in Turkey

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky late Saturday to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, ahead of the NATO summit scheduled for July 7‑8 in Ankara. The conversation, which took place on the sidelines of the summit, aimed to address the stalled negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

Moscow has repeatedly demanded that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donetsk region, a condition that Kyiv has rejected. The talks did not result in a breakthrough, and the parties remain at an impasse. The summit will bring together NATO leaders to evaluate the alliance’s response to the conflict and to consider potential diplomatic or military measures.

The discussion underscores the continuing diplomatic friction between Russia and Ukraine, while the NATO summit is expected to shape the alliance’s strategy for the coming months. The outcome of the summit will likely influence the trajectory of the conflict and the broader security dynamics in the region.