According to information, in addition to the NATO summit in The Hague, a meeting is planned between Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj.
Our teams are working to finalize the details, says a Ukrainian diplomatic source to the news agency AFP.
From Ukraine's side, one is eager to get a meeting, which would be a signal of continued support from the US. The memory still lives on from the infamous meeting at the White House in February with sharp attacks on Zelenskyj.
The meeting is expected to take place in the "early afternoon" on Wednesday. This is because Zelenskyj is not present when the 32 NATO countries previously hold their formal summit meeting in The Hague.
"Hold on strong"
Trump flew from Washington at lunchtime on Tuesday. On site are already his armored limousines that were flown in over the weekend. A comprehensive security deployment surrounds the meeting area.
Zelenskyj is also already on site in The Hague and has been welcomed by Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
I hear from all member countries that we should hold you strong, says Rutte at the reception of the Ukrainian president.
At NATO's last summit in Washington last year, Ukraine was promised an "irreversible path" to NATO membership – although that membership has since been questioned, not least by the US.
According to Rutte, there will still be "important words" about Ukraine in the final declaration that the NATO leaders will adopt at the meeting.
This is very strong signals. I am grateful for the support from you and other allies, says Zelenskyj.
New moves?
The NATO meeting is expected to mainly establish NATO's new budget target for countries to invest at least 5 percent of their GDP in defense. This is divided into 3.5 percent in traditional military expenditure and 1.5 percent on things with military benefit, such as civil defense, roads and bridges.
At the same time, there is great nervousness about new controversies or dramatic moves from Trump, for example about troop reductions in Europe or views on Russia.
But there will be no change there, promises US NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker.
The reason we are so focused on increasing defense investments to 5 percent is Russia and the long-term threat that Russia poses to NATO's security, says Whitaker at a digital press conference before the summit.
Wiktor Nummelin/TT
Peter Wallberg/TT
Facts: NATO summit in The Hague
TT
The heads of state and government of the 32 NATO countries are holding their formal summit meeting in The Hague in the Netherlands on Wednesday morning.
Secretary-General Mark Rutte will hold a closing press conference at 2 pm. An hour later, US President Donald Trump will also hold a press conference, before returning home to the US a little over an hour later.
In the evening, the leaders will also meet for dinner with King Willem-Alexander as host, with a preliminary start at 8:30 pm.
