NATO seeks role for Zelensky at The Hague summit, but excludes him from main meeting

NATO is working to include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at its upcoming summit in The Hague, but he is unlikely to participate in the main meeting of the 32 allied heads of state and government, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said Sunday.

Speaking on the television program WNL op Zondag, Brekelmans said the alliance is trying to ensure Zelensky has “a good place” during the two-day gathering, scheduled for late June.

“If you look at the plenary meeting where all the heads of government are present, that will probably be only with the 32 NATO allies,” he said. “NATO is looking for a good place for Zelensky” at the summit.

According to Brekelmans, the United States has reportedly raised objections to Zelensky joining the main session with NATO leaders. The Netherlands supports the Ukrainian president’s participation. At the previous NATO summit in Washington, Zelensky took part in a session with allied heads of state and government.

Brekelmans added that it remains unclear whether there will be a bilateral meeting between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump during the summit in The Hague.