US President Donald Trump held separate telephone conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, with both discussions focusing on the war in Ukraine and coming just days before NATO leaders gather for a summit in Ankara.

Zelenskyy described his conversation with Trump as “very good,” saying the two leaders discussed developments on the battlefield and prospects for ending the conflict. He also congratulated the United States on the 250th anniversary of its independence during the call.

According to Zelenskyy, the leaders agreed to continue their discussions during the NATO summit, scheduled for July 7-8 in the Turkish capital.

“There is a real prospect” of ending the war, Zelenskyy said, expressing hope that diplomatic efforts could gain momentum in the coming days.

Relations between Trump and Zelenskyy have experienced periods of tension since Trump returned to the White House earlier this year. Their relationship was strained following a heated exchange in the Oval Office in early 2025. More recently, however, Trump has taken a more supportive tone, describing Zelenskyy as “courageous” and praising his leadership during the conflict.

The Kremlin later confirmed that Trump also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a conversation lasting one hour and 25 minutes.

Yuri Ushakov, a senior aide to Putin, said the Russian leader congratulated Trump on the US national holiday before the discussion turned to Ukraine.

“The presidents naturally touched upon the issue of the Ukrainian settlement,” Ushakov said, adding that the conversation also considered Trump’s participation in the upcoming NATO summit.

According to the Kremlin, Trump reiterated his willingness to help achieve a ceasefire and support efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The diplomatic contacts come after a week of intensified fighting. Earlier this week, Russia carried out a large-scale attack on Kyiv that killed at least 30 people and injured dozens. Ukrainian forces later launched strikes targeting oil infrastructure near the Russian city of Saint Petersburg.

The upcoming NATO summit is expected to focus on strengthening the alliance’s defence capabilities, expanding military production and maintaining support for Ukraine.

Last year, NATO members agreed to increase defence spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product by 2035, with 3.5 percent allocated to core military needs and the remaining 1.5 percent directed toward broader security investments.

Trump has repeatedly urged European allies to spend more on their own defence and reduce their dependence on the United States.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently said Europe should lead efforts to build what he described as “NATO 3.0,” calling for a stronger military alliance capable of taking primary responsibility for the continent’s conventional defence.

The Ankara summit is expected to provide another opportunity for alliance leaders to discuss security priorities while addressing differences over defence spending and future support for Ukraine.

The American Declaration of Independence, a rare printed copy of which has been unearthed in the UK’s National Archives, provides a remarkable insight into the early days of the American Revolution just before the document’s 250th anniversary.

Officials at the National Archives say the newly found copy of the historic declaration is one of the rarest remaining copies of the document. The document was one of the rarest versions of the Declaration that we know of said Graham Moore, curator of the Revolution 250 programme.

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was passed, declaring Britain’s Thirteen Colonies independent states. Only a few printed copies were made after the adoption of the original signed copy to disseminate the news throughout the colonies, which is housed at the US National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Those first printed copies were made by Philadelphia printer John Dunlap, who is believed to have printed some 200 copies. Only 26 Dunlap broadsides are believed to have survived to today, and each one discovered is a rare find.

The newly discovered copy was saved in British government records seized at sea during the American Revolutionary War. The document was found on the merchant ship Dalton when it was seized by the Royal Navy ship HMS Raisonable off the coast of Portugal, the UK’s National Archives said. The British warship pursued it for seven hours before capturing it and returning it to Britain where the documents eventually ended up in the state archives.

The discovery sheds light on the international aspects of the American Revolution and offers an example of how wartime events influenced the movement of significant historical records, said officials.

The discovery is “an extraordinary find,” said Saul Nassé, chief executive of the National Archives, and is a reminder that the history of American independence is not uniquely American.

It’s an incredible find. It’s a copy of the Declaration of Independence, one of the few left in the world, not in America, but here in the UK,” Nassé said. The fact that the document is preserved in British state records is also proof of how greatly Britain and the United States were intertwined during the revolutionary period, he added.

The discovery is coinciding with a planned nationwide series of events and exhibitions marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence that will be celebrated in the United States.

The archivists are certain that the document will be of immense interest for historians, scholars and the public, giving them new insights into one of the most influential documents in modern political history.

The United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its independence on Saturday as millions of Americans take part in commemorative events overshadowed by political tensions and extreme weather affecting large parts of the country.

President Donald Trump is expected to play a leading role in the national celebrations, with a speech scheduled on the National Mall in Washington before a major fireworks display.

Ahead of the anniversary, Trump visited Mount Rushmore on Friday, where he used his address to warn about what he described as the growing threat of communism in the United States.

“Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty,” Trump said during his speech. “It is the greatest threat to our country.”

His remarks came at a time of heightened political polarization, with debates over the country’s future continuing to dominate the national landscape as Americans mark the historic milestone.

Celebrations in the nation’s capital have also been disrupted by an intense heatwave. Washington officials temporarily closed the Great American State Fair on Friday afternoon as temperatures climbed during the hottest part of the day.

Authorities also cancelled the city’s Independence Day parade scheduled for Saturday after forecasts predicted temperatures could reach as high as 46 degrees Celsius. Officials cited public safety concerns as the primary reason for the cancellation, while advising residents and visitors to limit outdoor activity, remain hydrated and seek air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.

Despite the cancellation of the parade, the fireworks display over the National Mall is expected to proceed, subject to weather conditions and safety assessments.

Across the country, Independence Day celebrations are continuing in many major cities. Fireworks displays are planned over Navy Pier in Chicago and across New York City, where large crowds are expected to gather for the annual festivities.

The anniversary is also unfolding as several western states battle destructive wildfires fueled by hot, dry conditions. Colorado and Utah have been among the hardest-hit areas, where multiple fires have forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.

Emergency officials said more than 160 structures have been destroyed by the fires, while firefighting efforts continue across affected regions. The National Guard has been deployed to assist local authorities with security operations, evacuation efforts and emergency response.

In contrast, weather conditions have been considerably milder in the Pacific Northwest. Temperatures there remained around 15 degrees Celsius on Friday, accompanied by light showers in some areas, providing a sharp contrast to the record-breaking heat affecting much of the central and eastern United States.

The 250th anniversary, known as the nation’s semiquincentennial, marks two and a half centuries since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. While communities across the country are celebrating the occasion with parades, concerts and fireworks, this year’s commemorations are taking place against the backdrop of political debate, severe weather and ongoing natural disasters that have shaped the holiday weekend.