"Zelenskyy on the Sidelines: NATO's Defense Spending Surge and Ukraine's Struggle for Support"

In the storied city of The Hague, where the echoes of history reverberate through its cobblestone streets, NATO leaders convened on a pivotal Wednesday, driven by the specter of Russia's military belligerence and the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine. The gathering was marked by a significant agenda: a commitment to bolster defense spending in the face of escalating threats. Yet, conspicuously absent from the main discussions was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a leader whose nation has borne the brunt of Moscow's aggression since the illegal invasion of 2022.

Zelenskyy, a figure who has often been at the forefront of NATO summits, found himself relegated to the periphery as the alliance's annual conclave commenced. Despite this sidelining, he remained resolute, orchestrating a series of strategic face-to-face meetings with key leaders at the summit venue. Among these was a notable encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump, whose previous altercation with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office had made headlines earlier in the year. "Well, we’ll discuss the obvious. We’ll discuss his difficulty. He’s got a little difficulty, Zelenskyy," Trump remarked with characteristic bluntness to reporters, moments 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."

The Trump administration's stance has been a roadblock in Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO, a move that could potentially alter the dynamics of the conflict that has ravaged Ukrainian towns and claimed countless civilian lives. Just a week prior, Kyiv faced one of the most intense drone assaults since the invasion began, underscoring the relentless nature of the conflict. Accusations of war crimes have been levied against Russian leaders, with charges of targeting civilian infrastructure. The International Criminal Court, seated in the very city hosting the summit, has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of complicity in the abduction of Ukrainian children—a charge he staunchly denies.

Zelenskyy's day in The Hague was a whirlwind of diplomacy, as he secured a commitment from the Netherlands for military aid, including advanced drones and radar systems to counter Russian drone attacks. In a parallel gesture of support, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the provision of 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by £70 million ($95 million) derived from the interest on seized Russian assets.

The evening saw Zelenskyy dining at the opulent Huis Ten Bosch palace, the residence of Dutch King Willem-Alexander. The dinner, attended by NATO leaders including Trump, was a tableau of diplomatic choreography, with Zelenskyy seated alongside Dutch Queen Maxima, while Trump shared a table with the king.

As NATO leaders deliberated, Zelenskyy continued his diplomatic offensive, ensuring that Ukraine's plight remained a focal point. His itinerary included a trip to France later that day, where he was set to finalize plans for establishing a new international tribunal. This court aims to prosecute those responsible for orchestrating Russia's war against Ukraine, targeting senior Russian leaders for the initial "crime of aggression" that has precipitated the myriad atrocities attributed to Russian forces.

This editorial journey through the corridors of power in The Hague captures a moment of intense geopolitical maneuvering, where the stakes are as high as the tensions are palpable. Zelenskyy's presence, though not in the main room, was undeniably felt as he navigated the complex web of international diplomacy, striving to secure the support his embattled nation so desperately needs.

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## Corrections and Updates

1. : As of June 2025, Donald Trump is the President of the United States, having taken office in January 2025. The article correctly refers to him as President, so no correction is needed here.

2. : The article references a surge in NATO defense spending. In June 2025, NATO leaders are indeed meeting in The Hague and are expected to endorse a new goal of spending 5% of GDP on security, up from the previous 2% target. However, not all allies are required to meet this target; Spain, for example, has negotiated an exemption, and President Trump has stated the 5% figure should not apply to the U.S., only its allies. The article should clarify that the 5% target is not universal among NATO members.

3. : Keir Starmer is currently the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, so this reference is accurate.

4. : The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin over the abduction of Ukrainian children, which remains current and accurate.

5. : The article refers to the "Trump administration" as a roadblock to Ukraine's NATO aspirations. Since Trump is currently president, it would be more precise to refer to the "Trump administration" in the present tense, not as a past administration.

6. : The article correctly places the NATO summit in The Hague in June 2025.

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## Corrected Article (with factual updates applied)

In the storied city of The Hague, where the echoes of history reverberate through its cobblestone streets, NATO leaders convened on a pivotal Wednesday, driven by the specter of Russia's military belligerence and the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine. The gathering was marked by a significant agenda: a commitment to bolster defense spending in the face of escalating threats. Yet, conspicuously absent from the main discussions was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a leader whose nation has borne the brunt of Moscow's aggression since the illegal invasion of 2022.

Zelenskyy, a figure who has often been at the forefront of NATO summits, found himself relegated to the periphery as the alliance's annual conclave commenced. Despite this sidelining, he remained resolute, orchestrating a series of strategic face-to-face meetings with key leaders at the summit venue. Among these was a notable encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump, whose previous altercation with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office had made headlines earlier in the year. "Well, we’ll discuss the obvious. We’ll discuss his difficulty. He’s got a little difficulty, Zelenskyy," Trump remarked with characteristic bluntness to reporters, moments 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."

The Trump administration's current stance has been a roadblock in Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO, a move that could potentially alter the dynamics of the conflict that has ravaged Ukrainian towns and claimed countless civilian lives. Just a week prior, Kyiv faced one of the most intense drone assaults since the invasion began, underscoring the relentless nature of the conflict. Accusations of war crimes have been levied against Russian leaders, with charges of targeting civilian infrastructure. The International Criminal Court, seated in the very city hosting the summit, has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of complicity in the abduction of Ukrainian children—a charge he staunchly denies.

Zelenskyy's day in The Hague was a whirlwind of diplomacy, as he secured a commitment from the Netherlands for military aid, including advanced drones and radar systems to counter Russian drone attacks. In a parallel gesture of support, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the provision of 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by £70 million ($95 million) derived from the interest on seized Russian assets.

The evening saw Zelenskyy dining at the opulent Huis Ten Bosch palace, the residence of Dutch King Willem-Alexander. The dinner, attended by NATO leaders including Trump, was a tableau of diplomatic choreography, with Zelenskyy seated alongside Dutch Queen Maxima, while Trump shared a table with the king.

As NATO leaders deliberated, Zelenskyy continued his diplomatic offensive, ensuring that Ukraine's plight remained a focal point. His itinerary included a trip to France later that day, where he was set to finalize plans for establishing a new international tribunal. This court aims to prosecute those responsible for orchestrating Russia's war against Ukraine, targeting senior Russian leaders for the initial "crime of aggression" that has precipitated the myriad atrocities attributed to Russian forces.

This editorial journey through the corridors of power in The Hague captures a moment of intense geopolitical maneuvering, where the stakes are as high as the tensions are palpable. Zelenskyy's presence, though not in the main room, was undeniably felt as he navigated the complex web of international diplomacy, striving to secure the support his embattled nation so desperately needs.

At the 2025 NATO summit, leaders are expected to endorse a new defense spending goal of 5% of GDP, but this target will not apply to all members. Spain has negotiated an exemption, and President Trump has stated the U.S. should not be bound by the 5% figure, emphasizing that the burden should fall on America's allies.