3 summits offer test of Western unity, dominated by Ukraine

By GEIR MOULSON
Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Three consecutive summits over the next week will test Western resolve to support Ukraine and the extent of international unity as rising geopolitical tensions and economic pain cast an increasingly long shadow. European Union leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to consider officially making Ukraine a candidate for membership. The Group of Seven leading economic powers will hold their annual summit in Germany from Sunday to Tuesday. And right after that, NATO leaders will gather in Madrid, with a standoff over the membership hopes of Finland and Sweden looming large.