Ukrainian president to strengthen ties with global leaders at NATO summit

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with US President Donald Trump on June 25, on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in The Hague, underscoring the importance of transatlantic support amid ongoing security challenges.

According to an informed source, Zelenskyy’s agenda also includes a series of bilateral meetings with other world leaders, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

Following the conclusion of the NATO summit, the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, and Italy are scheduled to convene with the Ukrainian president. The high-level meeting will focus on exploring the prospects for peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

Further multilateral discussions will take place within the E5 format, comprising the leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Poland, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. A separate N5 meeting will bring together the heads of the Scandinavian countries.

The 76th annual NATO Summit, which commenced on June 24, is currently holding its plenary session on June 25. The summit’s principal focus is on increasing defence spending, with the ambitious target set at 5 per cent of GDP by 2035. Alongside financial commitments, allied leaders will discuss continued support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing regional instability.

The plenary session is scheduled to last approximately two and a half hours, followed by a final press conference hosted by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Subsequently, separate press briefings with President Zelenskyy are anticipated.

Yesterday, President Zelenskyy’s schedule was equally demanding. He delivered a speech at the Defence Industries Forum’s plenary session. Additionally, he addressed the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives, reinforcing Ukraine’s position and needs.

On the summit sidelines, Zelenskyy engaged with US Senators, further solidifying support from Washington. Later, he participated in a joint meeting with the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission, as well as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte — alongside European leaders António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen. A bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron also featured prominently in his itinerary.

By Vafa Guliyeva