In addition, it is not clear that regular leader-level attendance at annual NATO summits is still a necessary driver of NATO-IP4 relations. Summits Fit for PurposeThe key difference between the summits in 2022, 2023, and 2024 and the summits in 2025 and 2026 is in their structure. It is true that the IP4 leaders were still invited, and that most did not attend – that fact is indisputable. Without an opportunity to take part in NAC discussions, the IP4 leaders were effectively invited to the rehearsal dinner, but not to the wedding itself. On to TomorrowNATO’s interest in and engagement with its IP4 partners – and vice versa – continues, if simply less publicly.