NPR News: 07-06-2026 6PM EDT

Speaker 10:00

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Ryland Barton· Host0:15

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump is leaving for Turkey today to attend the NATO summit. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports the war in Ukraine and defense spending top the agenda.

Franco Ordoñez0:28

President Trump is expected to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week as he embarks on a new push to end the war in Ukraine. Before leaving for Ankara, Trump told reporters that the U.S. is involved in talks and that they're closer to ending the war than people may realize.

Donald Trump· Soundbite0:44

President Putin wants it to end, I will tell you that very strongly. We had a good call, and, uh, President Zelenskyy actually wants it to end now.

Franco Ordoñez0:52

Trump will also push NATO members to step up their defense spending. At last year's summit, countries committed to spending five percent of their GDP on defense spending by twenty thirty-five. But over the last several days, Trump's been complaining that the U.S. spends too much compared to other countries, and he's expected to push them to move faster. Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.

Ryland Barton· Host1:17

Soccer fans are packing into Seattle today for the World Cup match between the U.S. and Belgium. Casey Martin from KUOW in Seattle reports fans have mixed reactions to star striker Folarin Balogun being added