Trump Says Ukraine Peace Is ‘Getting Much Closer Than People Realize’ Ahead of NATO Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed fresh optimism about efforts to end the war in Ukraine, saying a resolution to the conflict is “getting much closer than people realize” as he prepares to attend this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. His remarks come amid renewed diplomatic activity following separate conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said both Putin and Zelenskyy want to bring the conflict to an end, adding that negotiations are making significant progress behind the scenes. He described his recent conversation with Putin as “very good” and said the war in Ukraine would be a central topic of discussions with NATO leaders during the summit.

According to senior U.S. officials, Trump is expected to meet Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit as part of a renewed diplomatic push to break the deadlock in the more than four-year war. Officials indicated that Trump may also hold another conversation with Putin after his meeting with the Ukrainian leader in an effort to keep negotiations moving forward.

The summit comes as Ukraine faces intensified Russian missile and drone attacks, with recent strikes causing significant civilian casualties and renewed appeals from Kyiv for additional Western air-defense systems. Ukrainian officials have urged NATO allies to adopt stronger measures to bolster the country’s defenses while supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a lasting peace.

Beyond Ukraine, the NATO meeting is expected to focus on defense spending, alliance preparedness and broader European security. Trump has continued to press member states to increase military expenditures, arguing that European allies should assume a greater share of responsibility for the continent’s defense.

While Trump’s comments have raised hopes for a possible diplomatic breakthrough, no formal peace agreement has been announced, and major differences remain between Moscow and Kyiv over territory, security guarantees and the terms of any potential ceasefire. Analysts say the meetings in Turkey could provide an important opportunity to gauge whether both sides are prepared to move closer to negotiations after months of military stalemate.