President Trump declared on July 6 that a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war is “getting closer than people realize,” setting the stage for what could be the most consequential NATO summit in years. The 32-member alliance convenes in Ankara, Turkey on July 7-8, with Ukraine dominating the agenda.
Trump made the remarks after speaking with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He plans to meet Zelenskyy bilaterally on July 8, the summit’s second day.
What’s actually on the table in Ankara
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has now stretched past four years since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Trump specifically noted that “President Zelenskyy actually wants it to end now.” That framing matters. It positions Ukraine not as a reluctant negotiating partner being dragged to the table, but as an active participant seeking resolution.
