NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance remains committed to its pledge to accept Ukraine into its ranks, despite the possible lack of clear language in the final communiqué of the upcoming summit in The Hague, scheduled for 24-25 June 2025. Speaking at the London-based think tank Chatham House on 9 June, Rutte stressed that Ukraine’s path to NATO is “irreversible” and that this position will not change after the alliance leaders’ meeting. At the same time, he called on US President Donald Trump to use his influence to contain Russia, which, in his opinion, could help de-escalate the conflict.

Rutte noted that issues related to Ukraine's integration would be reflected in the summit's final document, although specific deadlines or commitments may remain unclear. According to Reuters, NATO is seeking to avoid divisions among its members, some of whom, including Hungary and Turkey, have expressed caution about quickly accepting Ukraine. However, as the BBC points out, the alliance has significantly increased its support for Kyiv since 2022, providing more than $100 billion in military aid, including Patriot systems and ATACMS missiles. Rutte's statement reaffirms NATO's strategic line, despite the change of power in the United States and pressure from Russia, which demands written guarantees that the alliance will not expand eastward.

Rutte's appeal to Trump is linked to expectations that the new American leader could play a key role in negotiations with Russia. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump, who took office in January 2025, has repeatedly stated his intention to "quickly end" the conflict in Ukraine, although his proposals have raised concerns in Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin toughened his demands in May 2025, insisting on excluding NATO membership not only for Ukraine, but also for Georgia and Moldova. Rutte, according to Bloomberg, hopes that Trump will use his influence with Moscow to prevent further escalation while maintaining support for Ukraine.