NATO summit in The Hague sidesteps crucial debate on military aid to Ukraine

The recent NATO summit held in The Hague sparked concern among allies and experts as it notably avoided addressing the critical issue of ongoing military assistance to Ukraine.

While the summit marked a significant achievement by explicitly recognizing the threat posed by Russia and Europe's commitment to increase its defense spending—long overdue steps toward strengthening collective security—several key topics were left unaddressed, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

US President Donald Trump, who received widespread praise for the recent American strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, appeared to soften his earlier criticisms of European allies and his talk of withdrawing from NATO.

This shift brought relief to nervous European leaders, at least for the time being, while also dampening Moscow’s hopes of exploiting divisions within the transatlantic alliance. Despite these developments, the summit failed to find time to discuss important matters such as a common procurement policy, regional stability, or enhanced reassurance for frontline NATO members, including the Baltic states. 

Most notably, the summit did not address the urgent need for continued military support for Ukraine. For the first time since Russia’s invasion more than three years ago, the final communiqué did not condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions—a glaring omission that raised eyebrows among observers. Russia’s steady advances along large sections of the front line, coupled with relentless bombardments of Ukrainian civilians, underscore the Kremlin’s determination to fully control Ukraine. 

Putin’s references to potential ceasefires and negotiations are increasingly viewed as cynical tactics rather than genuine peace efforts. Meanwhile, President Trump seems to have abandoned his earlier hope of winning over Putin through concessions, describing the Russian leader as “misguided”, a rare understatement from the US president. 

On a positive note, Trump held private talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, exchanging words of encouragement and avoiding previous tensions. However, Trump showed no indication of increasing military pressure on Russia or providing Ukraine with the additional arms necessary for it to prevail.

By Naila Huseynova