Trump admin falls to new low in service of Putin, pushing NATO to avoid mentioning Ukraine
As NATO leaders prepare to meet in The Hague next week, a new report suggests that the United States is pressuring its allies to scale back references to Ukraine in the alliance’s final summit communiqué. According to Newsweek, U.S. officials are seeking to shift the summit’s emphasis toward broader defense goals, potentially minimizing language about Ukraine’s NATO membership path or security guarantees.
The move, reportedly driven by concerns about political optics and alliance cohesion, comes as the Trump administration navigates a complex political environment—balancing support for Ukraine with domestic pressures, including skepticism from Republican leaders and shifting public opinion.
This would mark a significant departure from previous NATO summits since 2022, where Ukraine’s defense, sovereignty, and Euro-Atlantic future were central themes. If realized, it may signal a pivot in U.S. strategy: away from symbolic declarations in favor of a narrower, hard-power agenda centered on territorial defense and military spending.
Officials cited by Newsweek say Washington’s aim is to focus the summit on high-level goals such as Russian deterrence, enhanced military readiness, and increased defense spending—particularly ahead of expected demands from President Donald Trump for allies to commit up to 5% of GDP on defense. In response, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has proposed a framework that would see members commit to 3.5% of GDP in direct defense spending by 2032, with an additional 1.5% earmarked for dual-use infrastructure and cyber capabilities.
The proposed changes to the communiqué are causing concern among some NATO members, particularly those on the alliance’s eastern flank.
Countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia have been vocal in their support for stronger guarantees for Ukraine and are expected to push back against any language that appears to weaken the alliance’s stance.
Meanwhile, Ukraine remains locked in a grinding defensive war, facing daily missile and drone attacks and warning that any erosion of Western support—symbolic or material—could encourage further Russian escalation.
The final shape of the communiqué remains uncertain, but the reported U.S. position underscores a broader strategic debate within NATO: how to maintain alliance unity while managing divergent political pressures and priorities. With The Hague summit just days away, that balancing act is about to be put to the test.
