Belgium's PM criticises NATO for sidelining Zelensky, urging stronger EU support for Ukraine
Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) has expressed regret that the Ukrainian president was sidelined during the recent NATO summit. "I hope the European Union can provide the support for Ukraine that I felt was lacking at the NATO summit," he said upon arriving at the European Council meeting in Brussels.
Zelensky was not invited as a guest of honour to the summit in The Hague. He did, however, attend a dinner with other heads of state and government, as well as the Dutch royal couple, on Tuesday evening, and he met with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Very painful
While NATO leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine in the final communiqué, De Wever described it as "very painful" that "a country at war, an innocent victim of aggression fighting for our freedom, is being sidelined by the Western world simply because the US no longer wishes to support it in the same way".
He added: "Hopefully, we can make up for that to some extent here by making it clear that at least 26 EU member states still stand firmly behind Ukraine." De Wever also stressed the need for the EU to ensure that the US remains engaged. "Their capabilities simply cannot be replaced."
Separate declaration
Ahead of the summit, 26 member states prepared a separate declaration on Ukraine, marking the third time that Hungary's isolation over the war has been openly highlighted.
Nevertheless, De Wever believes that a strong message can still be sent without the involvement of the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán. “He is openly anti-Ukrainian, but ultimately, he is not preventing Europe from moving forward. It’s a very ambiguous situation which can perhaps be managed on an ad hoc basis, but structurally it raises questions.”
De Wever remains hopeful that Hungary will agree to extend sanctions against Russia and that a deal can be reached on the EU’s 18th sanctions package.
However, upon arriving at the summit, Orbán reiterated his opposition to Ukraine joining the EU. "That would mean integrating the war into the EU, which poses an imminent threat to us," the HUngarian leader said. When asked what would happen in the event of a ceasefire, Orbán replied: "There isn't one."
Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrives to attend the European Council in Brussels on June 26, 2025. © NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP
Related News
