US President Trump held discussions with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky regarding the Ukraine conflict prior to the NATO summit in Ankara. The conversations centered on finding a settlement in Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday, just two weeks before the NATO summit. This visit comes as the Pentagon is assessing the U.S. military presence in Europe, amid Trump's ongoing criticisms of NATO and claims that the U.S. bears a disproportionate share of military spending.

Security forces in Ankara, Turkey, detained over 200 individuals suspected of having links to extremist groups, including the Islamic State, during raids conducted ahead of the NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the summit alongside leaders from the 32-member alliance.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has been working to maintain U.S. involvement in NATO since his appointment nearly two years ago, using flattery to persuade President Donald Trump against abandoning the alliance. As the situation evolves, the challenges increase, particularly with an upcoming summit on the horizon, according to AP.

President Donald Trump conducted nearly 90-minute phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has lasted for five years. The conversations occurred amid Ukrainian military actions in Russian-occupied Crimea, resulting in one death and two injuries, according to The Kenya Times.

NATO chief Mark Rutte visited the White House to address and ease tensions with President Trump regarding NATO's stance on Iran, in anticipation of the upcoming NATO summit next month, according to Al Jazeera.