NATO director fears Trump-Zelensky dispute could ruin summit
(MENAFN) NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is reportedly worried that tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky could destabilize the upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlands, according to The New York Times.
The summit, scheduled for June 24–25 in The Hague, is expected to focus on Ukraine’s possible NATO membership and increased militarization. However, European officials and diplomats told the NYT that Rutte is aiming to keep the event brief and non-contentious to avoid public disagreements—particularly surrounding Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, which remain divisive.
Most European nations, along with Rutte, support Ukraine's involvement in the summit. However, Trump has consistently opposed Ukraine’s NATO bid, arguing it was a major factor behind the current conflict with Russia. He has also pushed for reduced U.S. support for Kiev, further complicating the alliance’s unified stance.
The friction between Trump and Zelensky reportedly escalated during a February meeting at the White House, where Trump accused the Ukrainian president of risking global war by refusing to pursue peace negotiations with Russia.
To avoid discord, Rutte is reportedly considering limiting Zelensky’s role at the summit. According to the NYT, the Ukrainian leader may not be invited to the opening dinner, and there will be no dedicated NATO-Ukraine Council session this year. Zelensky is expected to attend in some capacity, but the exact role remains under discussion. Italian news agency ANSA also reported that the U.S. is opposed to extending Zelensky a formal invitation.
Instead of addressing contentious issues, the summit will likely be limited to a brief session on the second day focused on updating military spending commitments.
The concern over Trump disrupting the summit comes amid his broader policy shifts, including efforts to reestablish dialogue with Russia. Last week, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their third phone call in recent months, which both leaders described as constructive.
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