**Netherlands Supports Zelensky’s Presence at NATO Summit**
In a move that could ease tensions between Ukraine and the United States, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans has expressed support for President Volodymyr Zelensky to attend the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague. This comes after reports emerged earlier this month that the US opposed Zelensky’s participation.
According to a report by Dutch daily NRC, Brekelmans said on May 25 that he wants Zelensky to be part of the summit, and that “as far as the Netherlands is concerned, Zelensky is welcome at every meeting.” This statement suggests that the Netherlands is willing to provide a platform for Zelensky to engage with NATO leaders, despite reported US opposition.
The June 24-25 summit in The Hague will be the first one led by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. With tensions running high between Ukraine and Russia, this year’s summit promises to be more delicate than previous ones. Trump has claimed that Ukraine provoked the war by pursuing NATO membership, a narrative often used by Russian propaganda to justify its 2022 full-scale invasion.
**A Delicate Political Landscape**
The upcoming summit is expected to focus on defense spending and strengthening the defense industrial base. NATO allies are also likely to announce a new collective commitment to boost defense expenditures to 5% of GDP – a dramatic leap from the current 2% target. However, this move may be met with resistance from some member states.
One notable development is that the summit has reportedly been shortened from three days to two. Discussions will focus on key issues such as defense spending and strengthening the defense industrial base, while minimizing internal disagreements. Notably, this year’s communique may omit direct mention of both Russia and Ukraine – a contrast to past summits where Ukraine dominated the agenda.
**A New Chapter for NATO?**
The June 24-25 summit marks a new chapter in NATO’s history, with Mark Rutte at the helm. The Alliance will need to navigate a delicate political landscape, manage Trump’s expectations, and make key decisions on defense spending and strengthening its defense industrial base. The question remains whether Zelensky will be allowed to address the full plenary session with all 32 NATO allies.
As one NATO official told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, referencing Ukraine at all could open the door to internal disputes and a watered-down message. This raises questions about the future of Ukraine’s presence in NATO and the Alliance’s commitment to its security framework.
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