FIFA Suspends Balogun Ban, Clears U.S. Striker for Belgium World Cup Clash 
Burgum Defends Free Speech as Patriot Front July 4 March Sparks Debate 
Trump Offers to Help Advance Ukraine Peace Talks in Call With Putin 
Australian PM Anthony Albanese Apologizes After Kylie Minogue Podcast Remarks Spark Backlash 
Israeli Airstrike Kills Two in Gaza City as Ceasefire Violations and Truce Talks Persist 
China Submarine Missile Test Sparks Concern Across Asia-Pacific 
Iran Begins Oil Sale Talks With Japan Under U.S. Sanctions Waiver Amid Shipping Risks 
Zelenskiy Urges Trump’s Support to Help End Russia-Ukraine War 
Israel Cabinet Rejects Supreme Court Ruling, Sparking Constitutional Crisis Fears 
Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Opens, Putting 2028 Philippine Election in Focus 
Cuba Power Grid Collapse Triggers Nationwide Blackout Amid Deepening Energy Crisis 
Flavio Bolsonaro Urges Trump to Delay Brazil Tariffs Until After 2026 Election 
Trump Marks America’s 250th Anniversary With National Mall Rally Amid Political Divide 
NATO Leaders to Unveil Multi-Billion-Dollar Defense Deals Ahead of Trump Summit in Ankara 
Khamenei Funeral Draws Massive Crowds as Iran’s New Supreme Leader Remains Absent 
Australia, Solomon Islands Strengthen Ties After China’s Pacific Missile Test 
Russia Strikes Kyiv as Ukraine Faces Patriot Missile Shortage Before NATO Summit 
U.S. President Donald Trump said a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war may be closer than many believe as he prepares to discuss the conflict during this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, where he is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskiy want the war to end. His remarks came after separate weekend phone calls with both leaders, including an 85-minute conversation with Putin that the Kremlin described as constructive and focused on exploring paths toward peace.
“I think we’re getting much closer than people realize,” Trump told reporters, adding that discussions at the NATO summit could help move negotiations forward. A U.S. official said Trump’s meeting with Zelenskiy on Wednesday is intended to renew diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, with another conversation with Putin likely to follow.
Despite Trump’s optimistic outlook, Russia launched another large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv and surrounding areas overnight, killing at least 28 people and highlighting the ongoing intensity of the war.
The Kremlin signaled confidence in Trump’s approach. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow believes the U.S. president has maintained a consistent position on Ukraine and remains open to hearing Russia’s perspective. He dismissed speculation that Trump’s views on the conflict have shifted.
Meanwhile, Zelenskiy said his recent phone call with Trump was “very good” and suggested the U.S. president now has a stronger appreciation of Ukraine’s recent military successes. In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelenskiy said Trump acknowledged Ukraine’s long-range drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, which have contributed to fuel shortages inside Russia.
According to Zelenskiy, Trump is increasingly focused on achieving a successful outcome and believes ending the war would strengthen his leadership ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. The Ukrainian president has also continued efforts to improve relations with Trump following their highly publicized Oval Office confrontation last year.
As diplomatic efforts continue, global attention is now focused on the NATO summit, where discussions could shape the next phase of negotiations aimed at ending Europe’s longest-running conflict in decades.
