Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: One settler dead in a shelter in Ramat Gan.
Israeli military command reports a fourth launch has been detected.
Israeli media reports eight settlers dead so far in Beer al-Sabe'.
Israeli media reports three settlers dead, several others injured in Beer al-Sabe'.
Sirens blast in Tel Aviv.
Israeli military command: In the first wave 2 missiles were launched, in the second wave 4 missiles were launched
Israeli military command: Another launch has been detected
Israeli media: 1 settler killed, 6 injured in a preliminary toll
Preliminary reports indicate that an Iranian missile made a direct hit in al-Naqab.
Israeli media: An Iranian missile directly hit a 7-level building in Beer al-Sabe'.

Ukraine’s role at NATO’s The Hague summit in Limbo: AFP

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 4 Jun 2025 12:32
3 Min Read

As NATO prepares for its 2025 Hague summit, uncertainty rises over Ukraine's participation and defense spending, with Trump opposing Kiev's membership ambitions.

Listen
  • x
  • Ukraine
    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses a media conference during the Vilnius Summit at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday, June 2, 2025 (AP)

With less than a month before the Ukraine NATO summit 2025 in The Hague, NATO members are facing renewed tension over how to handle Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s participation.

While European allies push for his inclusion as a show of support, the United States, under President Donald Trump, has been hesitant.

Kiev’s presence threatens to overshadow what was expected to be a largely unified summit focused on defense spending, a priority issue for the alliance.

Trump’s White House return reshapes NATO’s stance on Kiev

Just a year ago, NATO leaders in Washington pledged support to Ukraine, promising more military assistance and reaffirming Kiev's path to membership. Since then, Trump’s return to the White House has dramatically shifted US foreign policy.

His administration’s cooling stance on Ukraine has impacted NATO's broader approach. Tensions with Zelensky, warmer signals toward Moscow, and a push for direct negotiations have all contributed to growing uncertainty around Ukraine’s role in the alliance.

Diplomats eye limited role for Zelensky at The Hague

Despite the political tension, Zelensky confirmed this week that he received an invitation from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Related News

Iran: Military operations halted, conditional on Israeli aggression

Netanyahu instructs ministers not to comment on Iran ceasefire

A NATO official also told AFP, “We can confirm that Ukraine will be with us in The Hague.”

However, diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity said Zelensky may only attend a dinner hosted by the Dutch king, without formal talks. “It will be a PR disaster if he’s not there,” one European diplomat noted.

Focus shifts to defense spending compromise

To avoid disrupting unity further, NATO leaders are prioritizing a NATO defense spending agreement aimed at satisfying US demands. Trump has called for allies to commit 5% of GDP toward defense.

Officials now say the alliance is coalescing around Rutte’s compromise: 3.5% of GDP for core military spending and 1.5% for related investments like infrastructure.

“Defence spending is the most important part, and no one wants to jeopardise that,” a diplomat said.

Read more: EU delays trade retaliations ahead of NATO Summit amid Trump pressure

No NATO consensus on Ukraine membership path

In stark contrast to previous summits, there is no expectation that NATO will reaffirm Ukraine’s future membership. Trump has criticized Kiev’s aspirations and blamed its push for NATO integration as a trigger for the conflict with Russia.

Sources say the final summit communiqué is likely to remain silent on Kiev’s membership hopes, avoiding any statements that could reopen divisions among members.

“There will be nothing on that,” said a NATO diplomat. “My expectation is we will be absolutely silent.”

Read more: Putin seeks NATO pledge, sanctions relief in Ukraine peace deal

NATO summit highlights deepening rift

In a sign of how far it has moved, the US has also scaled back its participation in support meetings. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will skip a Ukraine-focused gathering in Brussels, though he will attend the broader NATO defense ministers’ meeting.

Read more: Medvedev: Russia seeks victory, not compromise, in Ukraine peace talks

  • United States
  • Nato
  • The Hague
  • Ukraine crisis
  • US
  • Volodymyr Zelensky
  • Ukraine
  • Ukraine war
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

  • Palestine
  • 18 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters upon arriving at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Politics

Trump lashes out at media outlets for downplaying Iran strike impact

ap
Politics

Turkey denies role in US-Israeli strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Iran targets US air base in Qatar with 'destructive' missile strike
MENA

Iran retaliates, targets US air base in Qatar with missiles

Demonstrators hold up a banner during a protest by Palestine Action group in London, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Politics

UK signals 'terror' ban on 'Palestine Action', sparking protests

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS