Closed doors for Zelensky at NATO: What does the position of the US and Turkey reveal?

For Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the NATO summit in The Hague has become one of those events that is only mentioned outside the official protocol. The new political situation once again forces all of Europe and the global public to reconsider the complex relations surrounding Ukraine.

Orban’s open statement: New lines being drawn in the West

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has openly expressed in his recent statements the unresolved contradictions within the Western political elite. According to him, the fact that the Ukrainian leader could not participate in the official program of the NATO summit is a major diplomatic signal. “The fact that President Zelensky is not participating in the NATO summit in any official capacity indicates that a previous chapter has ended,” Orban told journalists.

Orban noted that the US, Turkey, Slovakia, and Hungary do not want to sit at the same table with the Ukrainian leader within NATO, showing that there is no unity in the alliance on key issues. “Hungary’s non-participation in any integration community with Ukraine serves our national interests — neither in NATO nor in the European Union,” he emphasized.

Ukraine’s opportunities on the international stage are being limited

Within the summit, the alliance is preparing a final declaration in which it is trying not to mention Ukraine. The reason is that there are serious disagreements on this issue among the participating states. This means that Kyiv’s opportunities on the international political stage are shrinking, and there is a chill in the strategic approach toward Ukraine.

Zelensky and diplomatic isolation: Quality signals

Political analysts note that such an open diplomatic refusal from Western countries, especially the US and Turkey, is a serious signal. As Politico notes, even during negotiations in the Oval Office of the White House in March 2024, Zelensky was in a rather difficult situation, and even wearing a formal suit was seen as a moral obligation.

Orban also clearly stated that he is not happy about meeting the Ukrainian leader at the upcoming EU summit. This indicates that major geopolitical disagreements are growing on the EU and NATO border.

From Zamin.uz editorial:
On the world political stage, the fate of Ukraine is again in uncertainty and under threat. The disagreements among the key Western states, Zelensky’s isolation, and his inability to participate officially in summits — all these are new political trials for Ukraine. Today's situation signals new political lines and divisions emerging in Europe. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!