As the NATO summit scheduled for June 24–26, 2025, in The Hague approaches, Secretary General Mark Rutte has voiced apprehensions regarding a possible meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Rutte fears that such an encounter could lead to a diplomatic incident, potentially overshadowing the summit’s objectives.
According to reports, Rutte is considering limiting Zelenskyy’s participation in the summit to avoid direct interactions with Trump. Discussions are ongoing about whether to invite Zelenskyy to the main dinner marking the summit’s opening. Instead, he may attend a parallel defense industry forum, with the possibility that the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting might not occur this year.
The summit’s agenda has been shortened to two days, focusing primarily on defense spending commitments and enhancing the defense industrial base. This adjustment aims to minimize potential conflicts among alliance members.
Tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy have been high since their contentious Oval Office meeting in February 2025, where Trump criticized Zelenskyy, leading to widespread international reactions.
While Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans supports Zelenskyy’s attendance at the summit, the United States has reportedly expressed reservations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied opposing Zelenskyy’s participation.
The upcoming summit will be a critical test for Rutte’s leadership, as he navigates the complexities of alliance politics and seeks to maintain unity among NATO members.
