Highlights:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he plans to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in The Hague.
- Zelensky warns Putin may attack a NATO member within five years to test the alliance’s strength.
- Timing of the Trump-Zelensky meeting is still being finalized.
What’s happening
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed plans for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during the NATO summit in The Hague on June 24, though the final schedule is still being worked out.
“The teams are working on this. Yes, there are plans to meet,” Zelensky told Sky News in an interview with anchor Mark Austin.
The summit, hosted by the Netherlands, is seen as pivotal for NATO’s future direction as member states confront Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine and rising security concerns across Eastern Europe.
Why it matters
A potential Zelensky-Trump meeting comes at a critical time in U.S.-Ukraine relations, amid Trump’s reevaluation of U.S. financial and military commitments to Kyiv. Any face-to-face engagement between the two leaders may provide insight into future U.S. support — or shifts in NATO’s eastern defense posture.
Zelensky’s warning
Zelensky also warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin may attack a NATO country within five years “to test the alliance.”
When asked whether an attack could happen within months, Zelensky responded, “I don’t believe [Putin] is ready,” signaling he doesn’t expect immediate aggression but remains cautious of medium-term threats.
His remarks highlight growing fears in Eastern Europe that Russian ambitions may not be limited to Ukraine.
Zoom out
Zelensky’s appearance at the summit was only confirmed on June 20 by the European Council, after reports suggested he was reconsidering participation amid uncertainty over Trump’s attendance. Trump’s NATO stance, which critics say has been unpredictable, remains a major variable in alliance dynamics.
“They are talking about timing. It’s timing,” Zelensky said when asked if the meeting would be formal or informal.
What’s next
If the meeting proceeds, it will mark Zelensky’s second major engagement with Trump since the 2025 U.S. presidential inauguration, following their high-profile meeting at the White House earlier this year. Analysts say the NATO summit encounter could further shape U.S.-Ukraine relations — either by reinforcing Trump’s evolving stance on Ukraine or by revealing deeper divisions within NATO regarding its eastern security posture.
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