Trump Attends NATO Summit as Ukraine War Dominates Agenda

President Donald Trump is meeting with world leaders in Turkey during a pivotal NATO summit as the alliance confronts Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and rising instability in the Middle East.Before the summit, Trump renewed his criticism of NATO, saying the United States has invested trillions of dollars in the alliance and suggesting he may not have attended if Turkey were not hosting the gathering. He also announced the U.S. plans to lift sanctions on Turkey and said his administration is considering allowing the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the country. The sales were halted during Trump's first term after Turkey purchased a Russian air defense system.The war in Ukraine remains one of the summit's top priorities. Trump is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after speaking with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend. Trump said he believes both leaders want to reach a peace agreement.The summit comes after another deadly wave of Russian attacks on Kyiv that killed at least 22 people. Ukraine has responded with drone strikes on military targets inside Russia while continuing to press NATO allies for additional air defense systems and military support.Zelenskyy has called for increased sanctions against Russia and more anti-ballistic missile systems to help defend Ukrainian cities. The discussions are also taking place as tensions remain high in the Middle East following recent military exchanges involving Iran, adding another layer of complexity to NATO's security agenda.Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley. For more Coachella Valley News visit NBCPalmSprings.com