**NATO Summit: A Charm Offensive for Trump Leaves Ukraine Sidelined**
The recent NATO summit in The Hague was marked by a charm offensive aimed at appeasing US President Donald Trump, but the event ultimately left Ukraine feeling overlooked and under-supported.
Trump’s attendance at the summit was seen as crucial for NATO leaders, who were keen to avoid friction with the unpredictable president. To this end, they pulled out all the stops to win him over, offering a personalized message that praised his “decisive action” in Iran and hailed Europe’s commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.
The strategy seemed to pay off, as Trump appeared in good spirits and even signed off on the final statement reaffirming NATO’s commitment to Article 5. However, this came at a cost for Ukraine, which saw its hopes for concrete support and recognition dampened by the summit’s focus on placating Trump.
**A Charm Offensive Gone Wrong?**
The message sent to Trump by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was striking in its effusiveness. “Mr President, dear Donald, Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran, that was truly extraordinary, and something no one else dared to do,” he wrote.
Trump’s response to this over-the-top praise was predictably enthusiastic, with the US president publishing Stoltenberg’s message on social media and seeming to bask in the attention. However, this charm offensive ultimately left Ukraine feeling like an afterthought.
The summit’s final communique was a mere five paragraphs long, compared to last year’s 38-paragraph document, which had dedicated six pages to support for Ukraine. This year’s statement did reaffirm NATO’s commitment to supporting Kyiv, but it stopped short of condemning Moscow or offering concrete new assistance.
**Ukraine’s Disappointment**
The disappointment was palpable among Ukrainian officials and observers. “What Ukraine received at this year’s NATO summit was a far cry from the bold pledges made last year in Washington,” wrote Martin Fornusek, author of the article in The Kyiv Independent.
Even as Russia launched a brutal aerial attack against Dnipro during the summit, killing 19 people and injuring 300, NATO offered Ukraine little but words. This lack of concrete support has left many wondering if the alliance is truly committed to standing up for its easternmost member.
**A Success in the Era of Trump?**
In the current era of Trump, where controversy and unpredictability are par for the course, simply avoiding friction with the US president might be seen as a success. However, this should not come at the cost of sidelining Ukraine or neglecting its needs.
The NATO summit in The Hague was an opportunity to reaffirm the alliance’s commitment to supporting its members, particularly those on the frontlines of Russian aggression. Instead, it became a platform for a charm offensive that prioritized winning over Trump at the expense of Ukraine’s interests.
As Fornusek noted, “In the era of Trump, that might be a success of itself.” But for Ukraine and its people, this is not enough. They deserve better from their allies in NATO.
