THE HAGUE, Netherlands – As NATO leaders convened to discuss a significant increase in defense spending, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy found himself on the periphery, observing from the sidelines.
Immediate Impact of NATO’s Defense Talks
Spurred by Russia’s aggressive military actions and its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, NATO leaders gathered on Wednesday to finalize a substantial boost in defense expenditures. Despite Ukraine’s central role in recent NATO discussions, Zelenskyy was notably absent from the main meeting room as the alliance’s annual leaders’ summit commenced in The Hague.
Zelenskyy’s Strategic Meetings
Instead of participating directly in the summit, Zelenskyy arranged a series of private meetings with key leaders, including a notable discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump. This meeting followed a significant disagreement earlier this year in the Oval Office.
“Well, we’ll discuss the obvious. We’ll discuss his difficulty. He’s got a little difficulty, Zelenskyy,” Trump told reporters before joining the summit. “He’s a nice guy. I mean, I’m going to meet him today. I don’t know, I assume we’re going to be discussing Ukraine.”
Despite these discussions, the Trump administration continues to block Ukraine’s bid to join NATO.
Key Details Emerge from the Summit
The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in the destruction of towns and the loss of thousands of civilian lives. Just last week, Russia executed one of the largest drone attacks on Kyiv since the invasion began.
Russian leaders face accusations of war crimes, including targeting civilian infrastructure. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin on charges related to the abduction of Ukrainian children, charges which he denies.
Support from NATO Members
During his time in The Hague, Zelenskyy secured a promise from the Netherlands for military aid, including new drones and radars to counter Russian drone attacks. Additionally, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the provision of 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by £70 million ($95 million) from the interest on seized Russian assets.
Zelenskyy also attended a dinner at Dutch King Willem-Alexander’s Huis Ten Bosch palace with NATO leaders, including President Trump. The two leaders were seated separately, with Zelenskyy dining alongside Dutch Queen Maxima and Trump with the king.
What Comes Next for Ukraine
As NATO leaders continued their discussions on Wednesday, Zelenskyy remained proactive, scheduling further meetings to ensure Ukraine’s plight remained a focal point. Later in the day, he planned to travel to France to finalize arrangements for a new international court dedicated to prosecuting those responsible for orchestrating Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The special tribunal aims to address the “crime of aggression” by senior Russian leaders, underpinning the numerous atrocities alleged by Ukrainian officials.
With the establishment of this tribunal, Ukraine hopes to hold accountable those who initiated the full-scale invasion, reinforcing its quest for justice amid ongoing hostilities.
The announcement comes as international pressure mounts on Russia, highlighting the global community’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its struggle against aggression.
Associated Press writers Molly Quell in The Hague, Netherlands, and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.
