Former NATO ambassador credits Trump for historic NATO defense spending
Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker weighs in on this week’s NATO summit in Turkey, where President Donald Trump is expected to take part. Volker points to Trump’s continued push for allies to raise defense spending, while also noting the difficulty of preserving cohesion inside the alliance in the aftermath of the Iran operation. He also underscores NATO’s long-standing mission of deterring aggression and recalls the alliance’s backing of the United States after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging Washington and European capitals to send additional missiles as Ukraine works to shield itself from intensifying Russian strikes.
In a Monday post on X, Zelenskyy said Kyiv had endured a large-scale overnight assault, with Russia firing 68 missiles and deploying 351 attack drones.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to Ankara, Turkey, this week for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit.
Ahead of the gathering, Zelenskyy is pressing the United States and European partners to leave the summit with firm commitments to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a news conference at Dublin Castle in Dublin on July 1, 2026, following meetings with EU and Irish leaders and a formal ceremony marking the start of Ireland’s eighth EU presidency. (Paul Faith / AFP via Getty Images)
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had performed effectively in shooting down drones and cruise missiles, but were still unable to stop Russian ballistic missiles because of a shortage of interceptor systems. He stressed that it is vital for the United States and European allies to use the Ankara summit to deliver meaningful decisions that bolster Ukraine’s air defense and help protect civilians.
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U.S. President Donald Trump heads toward Air Force One while departing Bismarck Municipal Airport on July 01, 2026, in Bismarck, North Dakota. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“As long as Patriot missiles remain in our allies’ stockpiles, Russia is only encouraged to keep ‘vanquishing’ residential buildings. The United States and Europe have enough strength to stop this terror,” he asserted.
Zelenskyy’s comments come amid the ongoing, years-long war between Russia and Ukraine.
Large banners on an office complex near the Presidential Palace, the venue for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) summit, in Ankara, Turkey, on Monday, July 6, 2026. (Kerem Uzel/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Reuters reported that Zelenskyy, new South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to have dinner with NATO leaders on Tuesday.
