The President of the USA stated he is ‘willing’ to speak with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, noting that his special envoy, Steve Wickoff, is conducting ‘serious talks’ with Russia regarding the end of the war in Ukraine. ‘We hope that (the Russians) will do the right thing,’ Trump told reporters about the war in Ukraine while welcoming NATO Secretary-General Mark Rute at the Oval Office. The American president mentioned that discussions to end the war also involve a ‘large energy production facility.’ Commenting on the situation, he said it was ‘hopeful’ but not complete, stating that it ‘would be very disappointing’ if Russia rejected his proposal for Ukraine. On the other hand, Rute emphasized that NATO member countries need to increase arms production, highlighting that the alliance lags behind Russia and China in terms of arms manufacturing.