Putin and Zelensky Hold Separate Calls with Trump Ahead of NATO Ankara Summit

Both Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky held separate phone calls with US President Trump on July 5, 2026, ahead of the NATO Leaders' Summit in Ankara, Turkey (July 7–8). Trump is poised to test NATO unity at the summit, with allies watching closely whether Washington will reaffirm Article 5 commitments and the extent of US support for Ukraine's defense amid ongoing peace negotiations. The back-to-back calls underscore the pivotal diplomatic moment as NATO convenes its most consequential summit in years.