The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will only be welcome at the dinner at Huis ten Bosch Palace during the NATO summit in The Hague next week, according to the NATO summit program.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima had previously invited all leaders of NATO member states, their partners, and NATO chief Mark Rutte to the dinner at Huis ten Bosch on Tuesday evening, June 24.
It became clear on Monday that Zelensky may also be present there. He has not been invited to other parts of the NATO summit, which will take place in The Hague on June 24 and 25, for the time being.
Simultaneously with the dinner in the palace, a meeting about Ukraine with NATO ministers of Foreign Affairs and EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas will begin in the World Forum.
There has been much debate about Zelensky’s role for weeks. The United States objected to an invitation for the Ukrainian president, who was a guest of honor at previous summits. But European allies insist that Zelensky should come.
NATO summit lasts shorter than previous editions
The summit will be much shorter than the editions of recent years. For example, the dinner on Tuesday evening at Huis ten Bosch is possibly the first occasion where the American President Donald Trump appears, and he could leave early in the afternoon after one official meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday, there will be a large gathering of the defense industry with politicians and policymakers. The organizers hope to welcome many leaders and ministers there as well. Rutte will at least make an appearance.
It is not yet excluded that more space will be made for Zelensky and other NATO partners, insiders tell news agency ANP. The program is not yet completely fixed. For example, the allies of Ukraine who want to protect the country in the future may still meet during the summit.