NATO summit plans on skipping Ukraine membership issue
(MENAFN) NATO leaders are set to avoid the contentious topic of Ukraine’s membership during their upcoming summit in The Hague later this month, according to an AFP report citing diplomatic sources. The decision stems from concerns that discussing Ukraine’s accession could deepen rifts between the EU and the United States.
According to AFP, the summit’s final declaration is unlikely to include any reference to Ukraine’s path to NATO membership. A diplomat quoted by the outlet stated bluntly: “There will be nothing on that… My expectation is we will be absolutely silent.”
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly opposed Ukraine joining NATO, stating in February that Kiev should “forget about NATO,” and blaming its membership aspirations as a likely catalyst for the conflict with Russia.
Despite the omission of formal discussions, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is still expected to attend the summit. “It would be a PR disaster if he’s not there,” one diplomat said. However, no significant negotiations between NATO and Ukraine are anticipated.
While NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has publicly claimed that Ukraine remains a key focus, AFP sources say the summit will prioritize Trump’s demand that member nations significantly boost their defense budgets. “That is the most important part and no one wants to jeopardize that,” a source noted.
Moscow has consistently warned that Ukraine’s NATO ambitions cross a red line and were a major factor in triggering the conflict. Russia has called for Ukraine to adopt a neutral stance and avoid hosting foreign troops as part of any long-term peace settlement. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government has refused to give up its NATO aspirations or agree to neutrality, despite growing pressure.
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