NATO leaders are set to convene for a crucial summit later this month, but a key topic will be noticeably absent from the discussion: Ukraine’s potential membership in the alliance. According to sources cited by AFP, the bloc’s members are intentionally avoiding the issue due to concerns that it could lead to a public rift between the European Union and the United States.
The decision to steer clear of the topic is largely driven by fears of exacerbating tensions between the EU and US. Members of the US-led military bloc are likely to omit any mention of Ukraine’s membership bid in the final declaration, in an effort to maintain unity among member states. As one NATO diplomat put it, “There will be nothing on that. My expectation is we will be absolutely silent.”
US President Donald Trump has been vocal in his opposition to Ukraine’s bid to join NATO, suggesting in February that Kiev should “forget about NATO” and implying that the bid was a primary reason for the conflict with Russia. This stance has significant implications, given the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
Despite the omission of membership talks, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky is still expected to attend the summit. However, any formal discussions between the bloc and Kiev are unlikely, according to AFP sources. One diplomat noted that it would be a “PR disaster” if Zelensky were not present, highlighting the delicate nature of the situation.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has emphasized that Ukraine remains a priority issue for the summit, but sources suggest that the primary focus will be on meeting Trump’s demands for increased defense spending among member states. As one source put it, this is “the most important part, and no one wants to jeopardize that.” Russia, meanwhile, has made it clear that NATO membership for Ukraine is a non-starter, insisting that Kiev adopt a neutral status as a condition for lasting peace.
The Trump administration has described NATO membership as “a bridge too far” for Ukraine, while Kiev has refused to commit to neutrality or refrain from hosting foreign troops on its soil – a stance that Moscow also views as a red line. As the summit approaches, it remains to be seen how these competing interests will be navigated, and what the ultimate outcome will be for Ukraine’s bid to join the alliance.
