Trump travels to NATO summit in Turkey amid heightened Ukraine conflict

President Donald Trump flew to Turkey for the NATO summit, which convenes as the alliance faces renewed Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv that killed at least 11 people. The attacks, occurring on the eve of the meeting, are expected to dominate discussions among the 32 NATO members, who have described Russia's war in Ukraine as the most serious security threat to Europe and North America in decades.

Analysts said a positive outcome would involve NATO members making concrete progress on shared defense-spending goals and increasing pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (identified as Mark Rutte in the source) indicated the summit would focus on turning commitments into results.

Trump, who has previously criticized NATO members for not supporting U.S. calls to clear the Strait of Hormuz, expressed optimism after a recent 90-minute phone call with Putin, describing it as “business-like and constructive.” He told reporters that both leaders want an end to the war in Ukraine and that talks are ongoing.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, scheduled to attend the summit and meet Trump in a bilateral session, urged the alliance to increase aid for Ukraine’s air defenses, saying the United States and Europe have sufficient strength to halt the attacks.

Brookings Institution scholar Michael O’Hanlon cautioned that there is no clear evidence Putin is moving toward a deal, but noted that incremental progress at the summit would be welcome.

"I don't expect great things, but even incremental progress and no blow-up would be welcome," O’Hanlon said.

The summit will also address lingering controversies over U.S. actions toward Iran and previous proposals concerning Greenland, a Danish territory within NATO.