Ukrainian President Zelenskyy sidelined as NATO leaders meet to agree defense spending boost
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy looks on the from the sidelines as NATO leaders push to spend more on defense
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not in the room for the NATO summit. He scheduled a series of face-to-face meetings with leaders at the summit venue. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom will provide 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by 70 million pounds ($95 million) The conflict with Russia has laid waste to Ukrainian towns and killed thousands of civilians. The International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on charges of involvement in abducting Ukrainian children. The charges have been denied by Putin, who denies the charges. The Netherlands pledged military aid, including new drones and radars to help knock out Russian drones.
His country, at war with Russia since the Kremlin’s invasion in 2022, has been front and center at recent NATO summits. But as the alliance’s latest annual meeting of leaders opened in The Hague, Zelenskyy was not in the room.
Instead, he scheduled a series of face-to-face meetings with leaders at the summit venue, including with President Donald Trump, who had a major confrontation with Zelenskyy earlier this year at the White House.
“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.”
Trump’s administration has blocked Ukraine’s bid to join NATO.
The conflict with Russia has laid waste to Ukrainian towns and killed thousands of civilians. Just last week, Russia launched one of the biggest drone attacks of the war.
Russian leaders and military brass have been accused of war crimes including targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. The International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on charges of involvement in abducting Ukrainian children. Putin denies the charges.
Zelenskyy spent Tuesday in The Hague shuttling from meeting to meeting. He got a pledge from summit host the Netherlands for military aid, including new drones and radars to help knock out Russian drones.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom will provide 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by 70 million pounds ($95 million) raised from the interest on seized Russian assets.
On the question of Ukraine, the position of NATO has not changed,” Starmer told reporters. “While we work to lower the temperature in the Middle East, we will not for a moment lose focus on Ukraine.”
Starmer also denied Ukraine had been sidelined. “In my discussions with leaders there’s been a real resolve that now is the time to push again to get Putin to the table for the unconditional ceasefire.”
Zelenskyy dined Tuesday night at Dutch King Willem-Alexander’s Huis Ten Bosch palace with NATO leaders, including Trump. Zelenskyy sat with Dutch Queen Maxima while Trump was with the king.
On Wednesday, as the NATO leaders met, Zelenskyy scheduled more meetings to keep his nation’s battle at the forefront of the alliance’s thoughts.
Later in the day, Zelenskyy was traveling to France to sign off on plans to set up a new international court to prosecute those accused of orchestrating Russia’s war.
The special tribunal will target the senior Russian leaders who launched the full-scale invasion, the initial “crime of aggression” that underlies the countless atrocities Ukraine accuses Russian forces of committing.
Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London and Molly Quell London contributed to this report.
The Latest: NATO leaders agree on spending hike, vow to defend each other
NATO leaders agreed on Wednesday on a massive hike in defense spending after pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. The 32 leaders endorsed a final summit statement saying: “Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defense requirements as well as defense- and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations” It was the first face-to-face talks between the U.N. and Ukrainian leaders since April, when they huddled at St. Peter’s Basilica during Pope Francis’ funeral. French President appeared annoyed at repeated questions about Trump’s views at the NATO summit. Macron abruptly declines to comment on Trump’S views: ‘Ask him the question!’ The Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders chatted with the Dutch president on the sidelines of the summit, where world leaders had just agreed on massive defense spending. Like Trump, Wilders has similar anti-immigration, pro-Israel policies and frequent use of social media.
NATO leaders agreed on Wednesday on a massive hike in defense spending after pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, and expressed their “ironclad commitment” to come to each other’s aid if attacked. The 32 leaders endorsed a final summit statement saying: “Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defense requirements as well as defense- and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations.”
Here is the latest:
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Trump and Zelenskyy huddled for about 50 minutes
“We covered all the truly important issues,” Zelenskyy posted on social media following the leaders’ talks. “I thank Mr. President, I thank the United States. We discussed how to achieve a ceasefire and a real peace. We spoke about how to protect our people. We appreciate the attention and the readiness to help bring peace closer.”
It was the first face-to-face talks between the U.S. and Ukrainian leaders since April, when they huddled at St. Peter’s Basilica during Pope Francis’ funeral.
Macron abruptly declines to comment on Trump’s views: ‘Ask him the question!’
The French President appeared annoyed at repeated questions about Trump’s views at the NATO summit.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
“I’m not the President of the United States of America,” Macron told reporters. “Ask him the question.”
Macron’s unusual irritation notably comes after Trump said whether he’ll commit to NATO mutual defense guarantee “depends on your definition.”
“It’s very simple, my job is not to interpret his comments,” Macron said. “What I’m saying is that this solidarity (between allies) does exist, it’s in our texts.”
Also asked whether he’s worried that Europe’s security relies on decisions from the U.S. president, Macron said: “That’s not the case. I’m telling it to you, for France, which has a full, well-equipped army with the (nuclear) dissuasion, that’s not the case. We don’t rely on others.”
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Germany’s leader renews appeal to Trump to tighten sanctions against Russia
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday that while meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit he “encouraged” the U.S. president to get behind a sanctions bill in the U.S. Senate, and that it seems that Trump “is considering intensively what he can do.’
Merz noted that European Union leaders plan to agree on more sanctions of their own at a summit Thursday. But he said that “this alone will not be enough; we also need stronger participation by the United States of America in such sanctions.”
NATO summit brings together ‘Dutch Donald Trump’ and real Donald Trump
The Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders chatted with the U.S. president on the sidelines of the NATO summit, where world leaders had just agreed on a massive hike in defense spending after pressure from Trump. Like Trump, Wilders has similar anti-immigration, pro-Israel policies and a love for fiery rhetoric and frequent social media use.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
In a post on X, Wilders thanked Trump for the “excellent meeting.” Wilders says the two talked about the need for tougher immigration rules.
Wilders took home a big win in the last Dutch election. But he pulled the plug last month on the four-party coalition formed in the wake of the 2023 vote following a dispute over migration after governing for just 11 months.
Despite his anti-Islam Party for Freedom taking the largest share of seats in parliament, Wilders was too unpalatable even for his coalition partners to helm the government. The top job went to civil servant Dick Schoof instead.
JD Vance flips his middle finger, Trump drops an f-bomb
During a Republican fundraiser in Lima, Ohio, on Tuesday night, the vice president flipped his middle finger toward the crowd as he jokingly commiserated about the difficulties of being a modern political candidate. He said making the vulgar gesture is common in the nation’s capital.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
“All the pink-haired people throw up this sign,” he said, to laughter. “And I think that means ‘We’re Number One,’ right? I choose to take that as that symbol in Washington.”
Vance said he was kidding, but the joke happened to come on the same day that Trump used the f-word for real. Trump was describing his frustration with both Israel and Iran appearing to have broken the terms of a ceasefire.
Starmer says NATO support for Ukraine stands strong
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer say NATO’s support for Ukraine is undimmed, despite there being only a brief mention of its war with Russia in the alliance’s brief summit communique.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
“On the question of Ukraine, the position of NATO has not changed,” Starmer told reporters. “While we work to lower the temperature in the Middle East, we will not for a moment lose focus on Ukraine.”
He denied Ukraine had been sidelined. “In my discussions with leaders there’s been a real resolve that now is the time to push again to get Putin to the table for the unconditional ceasefire.”
Supporting NATO’s call for members to spend 5% of national income on defense and security, he said: “This is the moment to unite, for Europe to make fundamental shift in its posture and for NATO to meet this challenge head on.”
Emmanuel Macron calls threat of heavy US tariffs on European goods an ‘aberration’
The French president confirmed he mentioned the issue while in the Netherlands to leaders including Trump.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Speaking to reporters after the NATO summit, Macron said the decision from European Allies to substantially increase their defense spendings should “obviously lead to trade peace.”
“We can’t as Allies say ‘we need to spend more, we’re going to spend more,’ and within NATO, fighting a trade war. That’s an aberration,” Macron said.
Asked whether Trump appeared to hear the message, “ask him the question,” Macron answered.
Trump says he supports NATO mutual defense guarantees
Trump was less than declarative on on his way to the summit when he was asked about his support for Article 5 of the NATO treaty. Asked Wednesday to clarify, Trump said he supports the essential NATO pledge, that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
“I stand with it, that’s why I’m here,” Trump said as he met with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. “If I didn’t stand with it I wouldn’t be here.”
Trump had told reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday that whether he is committed to Article 5 “depends on your definition.” The comment rattled NATO members.
“There’s numerous definitions of Article 5. You know that, right?” Trump said on the plane. “But I’m committed to being their friends.” He also signaled that he would give a more precise definition of what Article 5 means to him once he was at the summit.
Trump keeps lashing out at media over intel assessment
The White House, looking to support Trump’s contention that Iran’s nuclear program was devastated by U.S. airstrikes, distributed a statement from the Israel Atomic Energy Commission.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
“We assess that the American strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, combined with Israeli strikes on other elements of Iran’s military nuclear program, has set back Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons by many years,” the statement said.
A U.S. intelligence assessment, which leaked on Tuesday, said there was a delay of only a few months.
Trump said media outlets were “disgusting” for reporting on the assessment, describing them as “very unfair to the pilots, who risked their lives for our country.”
NATO leaders agree to hike spending and ‘ironclad’ vow to defend each other if attacked
NATO leaders agreed on Wednesday on a massive hike in defense spending after pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, and expressed their “ironclad commitment” to come to each other’s aid if attacked.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
The 32 leaders endorsed a final summit statement saying: “Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defense requirements as well as defense- and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations.”
Spain had already officially announced that it cannot meet the target, and others have voiced reservations, but the investment pledge includes a review of spending in 2029 to monitor progress and reassess the security threat posed by Russia.
The leaders also underlined their “ironclad commitment” to NATO’s collective security guarantee — “that an attack on one is an attack on all.” Ahead of the summit, Trump had again raised doubts over whether the United States would defend its allies.
Disruption in cellphone networks across the Netherlands
Mobile networks are down across the Netherlands as the country hosts the summit of NATO leaders.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
The problem lies with a system of provider Odido, as well as several of its subsidiaries. The company says that its customers are experiencing widespread outages.
Job Holzhauer, a spokesman for the Dutch National Cybersecurity Center, said the agency wasn’t involved and that the primary responsibility for investigating the outage lies with the provider.
He said the cybersecurity center would only get involved if the provider’s investigation confirms a cyberattack.
NATO chief opens summit in his hometown
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has opened the annual summit of the alliance’s leaders in his hometown of The Hague.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Rutte, a former longtime Dutch prime minister, opened the meeting of 32 allies at a conference center that has been enveloped in the biggest security operation ever mounted in the Netherlands.
Rutte said the meeting’s central aim is for leaders to endorse a plan to boost military spending to 5% of their gross domestic product by 2035 and more fairly spread the cost of collective defense.
“For too long, one ally, the United States, carried too much of the burden of that commitment and that changes today,” Rutte said.
Leaders who flew in from around Europe and North America are scheduled to talk behind closed doors for about two and a half hours before issuing a brief written statement.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
The significant spending boost from the current target of 2% of GDP has been pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who sat next to Rutte at the circular meeting table. But it has faced pushback from Spain, which says it can’t afford the new target.
NATO’s Article 5 security guarantee
On the eve of the NATO summit, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that his commitment to Article 5 “depends on your definition.”
The comment raised questions about Washington’s commitment to defend its allies should they come under attack from outside.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Article 5 is the foundation stone on which the 32-member NATO alliance is built. It states that an armed attack against one or more of the members shall be considered an attack against all members.
It also states that if such an armed attack occurs, each member would take, individually and in concert with others, “such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.’’
Trump says he’ll meet with Zelenskyy
U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
“We’ll discuss the obvious,” Trump said. “We’ll discuss his difficulties.”
Trump added of Zelenskyy: “Nice guy.”
The two leaders were supposed to meet at the Group of Seven summit in Canada earlier this month, but Trump departed for Washington early to deal with the Middle East conflict.
Hungary’s leader says Russia not ‘a real threat’
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán doesn’t believe, as other European countries do, that Russia could carry out an attack on NATO territory by the end of the decade.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
“I think Russia is not strong enough to represent a real threat to us. We are far stronger,” said Orbán, fielding questions from reporters, leaning back with his hands thrust into his pockets.
Orbán is considered Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in Europe.
German leader confident about spending boost
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he’s confident NATO members will decide on a drastic increase in defense spending “not to do anyone a favor,” but because they are convinced that the threat level has changed.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Merz said as he arrived at the NATO summit that he believes the decision to raise the alliance’s spending target to a cumulative 5% of gross domestic product will be made “in great harmony.”
He said that allies agree that “the threat situation has changed, and the threat is Russia in particular.”
Merz added: “I want to say expressly that we are making the decisions we are making not to do anyone a favor, but we are making these decisions out of … our own conviction that NATO as a whole, and this regards the European part of NATO above all, must do more in the coming years to secure its own defense capability.”
Trump has breakfast with the king and queen
President Donald Trump began his first — and only — full day at the NATO summit with a breakfast courtesy of the Dutch king and queen.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Trump had stayed overnight at the Huis Ten Bosch palace at the invitation of Dutch King Willem-Alexander.
Only a still photographer was allowed to witness the meal on behalf of the White House press corps.
“The day begins in the beautiful Netherlands,” Trump posted on his social media account later Wednesday morning. “The King and Queen are beautiful and spectacular people. Our breakfast meeting was great! Now it’s off to the very important NATO Meetings. The USA will be very well represented!”
‘Birth of a new NATO’
Those are the words of Finland’s president about the 5% spending goal.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
While Spain says it can’t commit to that increase, other countries closer to the borders of Russia and Ukraine say they can.
“This is a big win, I think, for both President Trump and I think it’s also a big win for Europe,” Finnish President Alexander Stubb told reporters. “We’re witnessing the birth of a new NATO, which means a more balanced NATO.”
More missiles for Ukraine
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the U.K. will provide 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by 70 million pounds ($95 million) raised from the interest on seized Russian assets.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
The announcement came as the U.K., along with other NATO members, pledges to increase spending on security to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035. The total includes 3.5% on defense and another 1.5% on broader security and resilience.
UK boosting its nuclear arsenal
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the U.K. will buy 12 U.S.-made F35 fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons and join NATO’s shared airborne nuclear mission.
The government says it is “the biggest strengthening of the U.K.’s nuclear posture in a generation.”
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
The U.K. phased out air-dropped atomic weapons after the end of the Cold War, so all of its atomic weapons are submarine-based missiles.
The use of nuclear weapons by the U.K. as part of the mission would require the authorization of the alliance’s nuclear planning group as well as the U.S. president and British prime minister.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed the announcement, saying it was “yet another robust British contribution to NATO.”
NATO chief upbeat before summit
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says he’s looking forward to what he describes as a “transformational” summit of NATO leaders as they seek to agree on a huge hike in defense spending.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
U.S. President Donald Trump was arriving at the summit later Wednesday after raising questions a day earlier about his commitment to NATO’s cornerstone mutual defense guarantee.
Trump spent the night at a royal palace in The Hague as a guest of Dutch King Willem-Alexander.
Spurred by Trump’s demands that NATO allies share the burden of defense spending more fairly, leaders are set to pledge to spend 5% of their economic output on defense by 2035, although Spain has said it will not meet that target.
Advertisement Article continues below this ad
The Latest: NATO leaders gather for key summit
NATO members are expected to agree upon a new defense spending target of 5% of gross domestic product. Spain announced that it wouldn’t be able to reach the target by the new 2035 deadline. U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit. Germany Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he’s confident NATO members will decide on a drastic increase in defense spending “not to do anyone a favor,” but because they are convinced that the threat level has changed.“I think Russia is not strong enough to represent a real threat to us. We are far stronger,’ Hungary’S Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says. The U.K. will buy 350 air defense missiles for Ukraine, funded by $95 million raised from the seized Russian assets on the Ukrainian market. The total includes 3.5% on defense and another 1% on nuclear weapons and fighter jets.
NATO member leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, gathered Wednesday for a summit in the Netherlands.
They are expected to agree upon a new defense spending target of 5% of gross domestic product.
But Spain announced that it wouldn’t be able to reach the target by the new 2035 deadline, calling it “unreasonable.” Belgium signaled that it wouldn’t get there either, and Slovakia said it reserves the right to decide its own defense spending.
On Tuesday, Trump complained that “there’s a problem with Spain. Spain is not agreeing, which is very unfair to the rest of them, frankly.”
Here is the latest:
Trump says he’ll meet with Zelenskyy
U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
“We’ll discuss the obvious,” Trump said. “We’ll discuss his difficulties.”
Trump added of Zelenskyy: “Nice guy.”
The two leaders were supposed to meet at the Group of Seven summit in Canada earlier this month, but Trump departed for Washington early to deal with the Middle East conflict.
Hungary’s leader says Russia not ‘a real threat’
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán doesn’t believe, as other European countries do, that Russia could carry out an attack on NATO territory by the end of the decade.
“I think Russia is not strong enough to represent a real threat to us. We are far stronger,” said Orbán, fielding questions from reporters, leaning back with his hands thrust into his pockets.
Orbán is considered Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in Europe.
German leader confident about spending boost
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he’s confident NATO members will decide on a drastic increase in defense spending “not to do anyone a favor,” but because they are convinced that the threat level has changed.
Merz said as he arrived at the NATO summit that he believes the decision to raise the alliance’s spending target to a cumulative 5% of gross domestic product will be made “in great harmony.”
He said that allies agree that “the threat situation has changed, and the threat is Russia in particular.”
Merz added: “I want to say expressly that we are making the decisions we are making not to do anyone a favor, but we are making these decisions out of … our own conviction that NATO as a whole, and this regards the European part of NATO above all, must do more in the coming years to secure its own defense capability.”
Trump has breakfast with the king and queen
President Donald Trump began his first — and only — full day at the NATO summit with a breakfast courtesy of the Dutch king and queen.
Trump had stayed overnight at the Huis Ten Bosch palace at the invitation of Dutch King Willem-Alexander.
Only a still photographer was allowed to witness the meal on behalf of the White House press corps.
“The day begins in the beautiful Netherlands,” Trump posted on his social media account later Wednesday morning. “The King and Queen are beautiful and spectacular people. Our breakfast meeting was great! Now it’s off to the very important NATO Meetings. The USA will be very well represented!”
‘Birth of a new NATO’
Those are the words of Finland’s president about the 5% spending goal.
While Spain says it can’t commit to that increase, other countries closer to the borders of Russia and Ukraine say they can.
“This is a big win, I think, for both President Trump and I think it’s also a big win for Europe,” Finnish President Alexander Stubb told reporters. “We’re witnessing the birth of a new NATO, which means a more balanced NATO.”
More missiles for Ukraine
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the U.K. will provide 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by 70 million pounds ($95 million) raised from the interest on seized Russian assets.
The announcement came as the U.K., along with other NATO members, pledges to increase spending on security to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035. The total includes 3.5% on defense and another 1.5% on broader security and resilience.
UK boosting its nuclear arsenal
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the U.K. will buy 12 U.S.-made F35 fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons and join NATO’s shared airborne nuclear mission.
The government says it is “the biggest strengthening of the U.K.’s nuclear posture in a generation.”
The U.K. phased out air-dropped atomic weapons after the end of the Cold War, so all of its atomic weapons are submarine-based missiles.
The use of nuclear weapons by the U.K. as part of the mission would require the authorization of the alliance’s nuclear planning group as well as the U.S. president and British prime minister.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed the announcement, saying it was “yet another robust British contribution to NATO.”
NATO chief upbeat before summit
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says he’s looking forward to what he describes as a “transformational” summit of NATO leaders as they seek to agree on a huge hike in defense spending.
U.S. President Donald Trump was arriving at the summit later Wednesday after raising questions a day earlier about his commitment to NATO’s cornerstone mutual defense guarantee.
Trump spent the night at a royal palace in The Hague as a guest of Dutch King Willem-Alexander.
Spurred by Trump’s demands that NATO allies share the burden of defense spending more fairly, leaders are set to pledge to spend 5% of their economic output on defense by 2035, although Spain has said it will not meet that target.
Trump insisted Tuesday that “there’s a problem with Spain. Spain is not agreeing, which is very unfair to the rest of them, frankly.”