**Ukrainian President Zelensky to Attend NATO Summit Despite Initial Uncertainty**
In a significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to attend the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague next week. This announcement was confirmed by the European Council on June 20.
Zelensky’s participation at the summit had been uncertain due to questions surrounding US President Donald Trump’s attendance. A schedule released by the European Council confirms that Zelensky will meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, among others.
**Uncertainty Surrounding Trump’s Participation**
The Guardian reported on June 17 that Ukrainian officials were reconsidering Zelensky’s attendance due to uncertainty over Trump’s participation. A Ukrainian official was quoted as saying that Kyiv is in a “permanent hazard” of becoming a victim of Trump’s short attention span. This uncertainty has been exploited by Russia, with fresh aerial attacks taking place.
The official expressed frustration over the lack of clear promises from the US regarding arms supplies and aid to Ukraine. Zelensky had initially planned to meet Trump at the G7 Summit, which took place earlier this month.
**G7 Summit and Recent Attacks**
Zelensky attended the G7 Summit, where he met with various leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. However, he left early due to a Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv, which killed 30 people and injured another 172.
The attack was widely condemned by Ukrainian officials, who described it as a “massive and brutal strike” timed deliberately to coincide with the G7 summit. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for increased international pressure on Russia to stop such attacks.
**Commentary**
Zelensky’s attendance at the NATO summit is significant, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s participation. The Ukrainian leader’s presence will likely focus attention on Ukraine’s struggles with Russian aggression and the need for collective action from the international community.
The fact that Zelensky is attending the summit despite initial reservations suggests a willingness to engage with other leaders and push forward with efforts to counter Russian actions. However, the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s participation remains a concern, particularly given Russia’s exploitation of this uncertainty in recent days.
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