More setbacks for Zelensky as NATO’s position on Ukraine takes a sharp turn.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed that Ukraine’s hopes of joining the alliance are no longer under consideration, following a firm stance from former President Donald Trump.
Speaking to Bloomberg on Friday, Rutte admitted that NATO is shifting priorities away from Ukraine’s membership bid and instead looking toward a post-war framework that includes a gradual normalization of relations with Russia. When asked directly if Trump had effectively removed Ukraine’s NATO ambitions from the table, Rutte responded with a definitive “Yes.”
This statement comes just a day after Rutte’s meeting with Trump at the White House, where discussions reportedly centered around a potential U.S.-led ceasefire initiative for Ukraine.
For Zelensky, who has tied his leadership to deepening Ukraine’s ties with the Biden administration and pro-intervention Western powers, this is a major blow. His long-standing goal of securing NATO membership now appears to be unraveling.
During the interview, Rutte emphasized that any future security guarantees for Ukraine must follow an actual ceasefire, stressing that it is premature to discuss post-war security mechanisms without first securing an end to hostilities. He also noted that while NATO may offer advisory roles, direct involvement in monitoring a peace settlement remains unlikely.
Meanwhile, the NATO chief signaled that the alliance is already thinking beyond the war, with discussions emerging on the eventual restoration of economic and diplomatic ties with Russia. When asked about the possibility of resuming business relations—including potential energy deals—Rutte acknowledged that while sanctions and pressure on Moscow must continue for now, a long-term pathway to normalization is inevitable.
Reflecting on his past dealings with Putin before 2014, Rutte stated that once the war ends, both Europe and the U.S. will likely move toward reestablishing some level of engagement with Russia, albeit in a step-by-step manner. However, he made it clear that the conflict must first be resolved before such considerations take shape.
The shift in NATO’s stance represents a stark reality check for Ukraine, as Western leaders begin recalibrating their approach to the conflict.
