For the first time since 2022, Ukraine was not invited to discussions at the NATO summit.

For the first time since 2022, the Ukrainian leadership was not invited to the main discussions at the NATO summit in order to avoid friction with the United States. This was announced on May 15 by the Euractiv portal, citing sources in the alliance.

"The Ukrainian leadership was not invited to join the main discussions at the upcoming NATO summit in June," the publication says.

According to the portal, this decision violates established practice, since since the beginning of the special military operation (SVO), Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has attended all three of the last annual NATO meetings.

It is specified that only one session with the participation of all 32 member countries of the alliance is scheduled on the agenda of the meeting. The White House expressed doubts about the expediency of allocating separate time for Zelensky, as this could lead to tension, especially with US President Donald Trump. Nevertheless, the delegation from Kiev is likely to be invited to public events, including an informal dinner of leaders.

In addition, Euractiv noted that any progress in Ukraine's accession to NATO ahead of the alliance's summit in June is "extremely unlikely."

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On May 14, the United States opposed Zelensky's invitation to the NATO summit in June. At the moment, applications for participation in the meeting have already been sent to Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The issue of inviting Ukraine may be raised at an informal meeting of foreign ministers in Antalya.

On May 9, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, Mark Rutte, announced that Ukraine would not be guaranteed membership in NATO under the peace agreement. At the same time, according to him, there is a possibility of the country joining the alliance in the long term.