Zelensky said Ukraine's expanding long-range drone campaign is designed to bring the war closer to Russia's leadership, arguing that sustained strikes on Moscow would force Putin to "feel it personally."

"Once he begins to feel it personally... you will see advisers urging him to relocate somewhere beyond the Urals."

He concluded:

"The farther Putin is from Moscow, the closer the end of the war will be."

Source: FT

Zelensky to FT:

Without nuclear weapons, you are no longer part of the club that others fear attacking.

Instead, you become part of the club that can be attacked.

Iran resumed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, firing at least two missiles at commercial ships Monday night, according to two U.S. officials.

Two vessels were damaged but no injuries were reported.

Source: Axios

Trump departed the U.S. en route to the NATO summit in Ankara.

BIG: Trump is expected to tell Turkish President Erdogan that he wants to restore Türkiye's access to F-35 fighter jets, reversing the ban he imposed in 2019.

The move would require overcoming U.S. legal and congressional restrictions, likely by ensuring Türkiye no longer possesses or operates its Russian-made S-400 air defense systems.

Options under discussion include transferring the S-400s to a third party or rendering them inoperable.

Trump is expected to signal his intent during the NATO summit in Ankara, though no final decision has been announced, and Congress could still block the sale.

Source: NYT

WATCH: Jackson Hinkle leads anti-U.S. chants in Tehran, Iran.

📸 Turkish President Erdogan and NATO chief Mark Rutte walking hand-in-hand.

NATO Summit in Ankara kicks off today.

Trump:

The United States Military has never been stronger, or more powerful. No other Nation can do what we do (It’s not even close!). This year we set even more Historic Recruiting Records, months ahead of schedule. Morale has never been higher. Our Military’s unmatched POWER was on full display during our Celebration of 250 Years of American Independence and, like our Country, the WAR DEPARTMENT has never been “HOTTER.”

We need to keep it that way, which is why, when Congress returns, we must pass Reconciliation 3.0, with 350 Billion Dollars for Defense, plus THE SAVE AMERICA ACT! I am calling on House and Senate Leadership to make this their Number One Priority, and ensure that 350 Billion Dollars in Recon 3.0 moves out of the Budget Committee as soon as Congress is back in session.

The SAVE AMERICA ACT, which everyone is asking for, paired with the full funding of our Great Department of War, can be passed very quickly, ensuring that the United States of America stays FREE for Generations to come. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Para 13 of the MoU is clear: Negotiations on final Deal will not commence if threats continue Honor your signature.

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler:

While most European countries downsized their armed forces after the Cold War, Türkiye did not.

Instead, it maintained a much larger active-duty, professional military.

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler:

In the defense sector, Türkiye advocates complementarity rather than competition or exclusion.

The Alliance's security is not strengthened through restrictions, but through solidarity and a shared vision.

French President Macron and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.

📸 French President Macron and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus.

NOW: NATO's Rutte in Ankara:

Today several allies are officially announcing the forthcoming delivery of the 10th Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft.

This brings us one step closer to the full MRTT fleet of 12 aircraft.

Ukraine's Budanov on Poland:

Interviewer: From the Ukrainian side, can anything be done to escalate? Or are we already doing everything?

Budanov: Well, if we acknowledge that someone is taking immature steps, why should we respond? Not respond—but make false steps forward.

They’ll make their move; we’ll see, and we’ll respond. Nobody will stay silent.

Interviewer: As in the larger context of the war, as you said, there will be a build-up of escalation, then de-escalation. Should we expect the same here?

Budanov: Peak escalation always leads either to catastrophe or to de-escalation. I hope we move toward de-escalation.

Source: RBC-Ukraine

NOW: NATO allies are signing contracts for Triton high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft to strengthen NATO's ISR force.

NOW: NATO allies sign contracts to jointly procure up to 10 Saab GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft, snubbing Boeing.

BREAKING: Two explosions reported near Syria's Tourism Ministry in Damascus.

Source: Al Jazeera