**Ukraine Invited to NATO Summit, Zelensky Says**
In a significant development, Ukraine has been invited to the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague between June 24 and 25. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky during an online press conference on June 2.
“This is important,” Zelensky said, adding that he had held a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during the Vilnius summit of the Bucharest Nine (B9) and the Nordic countries. The statement suggests that Ukraine’s participation in the summit has been confirmed, but details about representation and attendance are still unclear.
The invitation comes after speculation that Ukraine might not be invited due to opposition from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied these claims earlier this year, stating that there was no opposition to Zelensky’s participation in the summit.
**Caution and Uncertainty**
The tone of this year’s NATO summit appears more cautious than previous ones, as member countries weigh how to handle Ukraine’s future in the alliance amid renewed questions about U.S. commitment. This uncertainty is reflected in earlier reporting that suggested this year’s communique may omit direct mention of both Russia and Ukraine.
**Significance and Implications**
The invitation of Ukraine to the NATO summit takes on greater significance in light of Trump’s claims that Ukraine provoked the war by pursuing NATO membership, a narrative often used by Russian propaganda to justify its 2022 full-scale invasion. The presence of Ukraine at the summit will likely be a topic of discussion among member countries and may have implications for the country’s future in the alliance.
**More to Come**
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is expected to speak with colleagues regarding infrastructure and potential outcomes from this summit in The Hague. Further details about representation, attendance, and the agenda are still awaited.
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