The media have revealed details regarding the possible participation of President Volodymyr Zelensky in the upcoming NATO summit to be held in The Hague
Preliminary sources, including AFP agency and Ukrainian media citing them, report that the question of the format of Ukraine’s leader’s involvement is being discussed at a high level within the alliance. The main goal of these discussions is to prevent potential negative reactions from U.S. President Donald Trump, who traditionally is skeptical of any steps to expand NATO’s influence or support Ukraine. According to "European Pravda," this week Vladimir Zelensky received an official invitation from NATO Secretary General Jürgen Rutte to participate in the summit planned for the end of this month. NATO, in turn, confirmed that Ukraine will take part in the events in The Hague; however, diplomatic sources indicate that most likely, this will be limited to Zelensky’s informal participation — at diplomatic receptions and informal meetings. Specifically, one high-ranking official, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that Zelensky might be invited to attend a dinner organized for NATO leaders in the presence of King Willem-Alexander. However, official negotiations between Ukraine and the Alliance are unlikely at this summit. "It would be a real PR disaster if he (Zelensky) is not there," the diplomat emphasized. It is also worth noting that the question of Ukraine’s participation in the events in The Hague largely depends on how the negotiations with Moscow progress. So far, Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul, but no agreements have been reached yet, leaving the situation with potential progress uncertain. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jürgen Rutte emphasizes that the issue of Ukraine will remain a priority during the summit. At the same time, diplomatic circles express concerns that the main attention of the organizers will be focused on reaching an agreement on increasing member states’ defense spending, with particular emphasis on satisfying President Trump’s demands. According to analysts’ expectations, the Alliance will advocate for a compromise, proposing spending at 3.5% of GDP on defense and 1.5% on broader military support. "Defense spending is a key issue during the summit, and no one wants to jeopardize it," said another diplomat. At the same time, the organizers plan to keep the final declaration brief and neutral regarding Ukraine’s potential membership to avoid internal divisions and tensions among participants. Specifically, there are no plans to issue a joint statement of military support for Ukraine from all alliance members, as the U.S., in particular, does not foresee providing new aid to Kyiv in the coming months. In summary, the issue of Zelensky’s participation in the NATO summit remains sensitive and is carefully monitored at the diplomatic and military levels. The decision is expected to depend on the foreign policy situation, as well as the trajectory of international negotiations concerning Ukraine and its security status. At the same time, the alliance aims to demonstrate unity and pragmatism to avoid worsening the situation in diplomatic and military spheres during this challenging period.