**Ukraine’s NATO Path Remains Unchanged, Despite Omission from Summit Communique**
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed that Ukraine’s future membership in the alliance remains unchanged, even if it is not explicitly mentioned in the final communique of the upcoming summit in The Hague. Speaking at Chatham House in London on June 9, Rutte emphasized that the “irreversible path” of Ukraine into NATO is still intact.
Rutte’s comments come amidst speculation that this year’s summit communique may exclude references to Russia and Ukraine, marking a notable departure from previous gatherings where Kyiv’s future in NATO took center stage. However, Rutte downplayed the significance of this omission, stating that “all the language we previously agreed on is there — until we decide it is no longer there.”
Ukraine applied for alliance membership in September 2022, several months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. While NATO has repeatedly affirmed that Kyiv will eventually join, it has yet to extend a formal invitation. The country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed on June 2 that Ukraine had been invited to the upcoming summit, despite earlier speculation that the country might be excluded due to opposition from the Trump administration.
**A Shift in NATO’s Focus**
This year’s summit is expected to focus more cautiously on alliance posture and defense spending, as internal divisions surface over support for Ukraine and broader geopolitical commitments. U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Ukraine’s NATO aspirations provoked the war, a line frequently echoed in Russian propaganda. He also signaled plans to reduce U.S. military presence in Europe and has been reluctant to provide new military support to Kyiv.
**A Symbolic Omission?**
The possible omission of references to Russia and Ukraine from the summit communique may be seen as a symbolic gesture, rather than a significant departure from NATO’s stance on Ukraine’s membership. Rutte’s comments suggest that the alliance is committed to upholding its previous agreements, despite internal divisions and external pressures.
In conclusion, while the upcoming summit may mark a shift in NATO’s focus, Ukraine’s future membership in the alliance remains unchanged. The country’s president has attended every NATO summit since February 2022, and Kyiv’s commitment to joining the alliance remains unwavering.
