As NATO gears as much as finalize a serious defence spending deal, a contentious problem looms over its upcoming summit in The Hague: methods to deal with Ukraine.
When leaders final met in Washington, they hailed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, pledged extra army assist, and declared Kyiv was on an “irreversible path” to NATO membership.
But that was earlier than Donald Trump’s return to the White House disrupted U.S. assist for Ukraine and reshaped the West’s method to Russia’s ongoing conflict.
Since retaking workplace, Trump has had a dramatic falling-out with Zelensky, signaled openness to improved ties with Moscow, and pushed either side towards peace talks. The shift has unnerved Kyiv’s European allies, who need Zelensky current on the June 24–25 summit to sign NATO’s continued backing.
However, Washington has reportedly resisted the thought, underscoring how Trump’s stance has already undercut the alliance’s unity on Ukraine.
Zelensky stated this week that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had invited Ukraine to take part “in some form.” A NATO official confirmed to AFP: “We can confirm that Ukraine will be with us in The Hague.”
Diplomatic sources counsel Zelensky would possibly attend a dinner hosted by the Dutch king, however no formal NATO-Ukraine talks are deliberate. “It will be a PR disaster if he’s not there,” stated one European diplomat.
UNCERTAINTY OVER PEACE TALKS
Zelensky’s reception on the summit might hinge on developments within the fragile negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. So far, two rounds of talks in Istanbul have yielded little progress.
Trump, reportedly pissed off with Putin’s sluggish tempo towards a ceasefire, has stopped in need of penalizing Moscow — and stays essential of Zelensky’s public stance.
Despite the tensions, Rutte insists Ukraine stays a “priority” on the summit. Yet the dominant focus is on securing a defence spending settlement that satisfies Trump’s demand for NATO members to commit 5 p.c of GDP to defence.
Multiple officers say a compromise is probably going: 3.5 p.c for core defence and 1.5 p.c for broader spending, comparable to army infrastructure. “Defence spending is the most important part, and no one wants to jeopardize that,” stated a second diplomat.
SILENCE ON MEMBERSHIP
One space the place consensus is rising—paradoxically—is silence. NATO is predicted to keep away from reaffirming Ukraine’s path to membership in its last summit declaration to forestall divisions.
“There will be nothing on that,” a NATO diplomat stated. “My expectation is we will be absolutely silent.”
Likewise, a joint assertion on army assist is unlikely. Trump has scaled again U.S. backing, and in an indication of shifting priorities, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is skipping a NATO donors’ assembly in Brussels on Wednesday. He will, nonetheless, attend Thursday’s session with NATO defence ministers.
Source: www.anews.com.tr