THE HAGUE, Jun 25 (Alliance News): US President Donald Trump made a high-profile entrance at NATO’s summit in The Hague, where the alliance’s 32 members opened two days of talks focused on rising defence spending and rising security threats.
Trump’s presence, while commanding, reignited concerns over US commitment to Europe’s defence after he refused to unequivocally endorse NATO’s Article Five clause—the bedrock of the alliance’s mutual defence.
Speaking aboard Air Force One ahead of the summit, Trump said, “Depends on your definition. There are numerous definitions of Article Five,” before adding, “I’m committed to being their friend.”
The statement triggered unease among European allies, many of whom fear a weakening US security umbrella amid mounting tensions with Russia and growing Chinese influence.
To address Trump’s long-standing demands for increased burden-sharing, NATO leaders unveiled a compromise plan: 3.5% of GDP will be allocated to core military capabilities by 2035, with an additional 1.5% directed toward broader security areas, including cyber and infrastructure.
Trump appeared satisfied, stating, “They’re going to be lifting it to five percent, that’s good. It gives them much more power.”
Despite the show of unity on defence expenditure, internal divisions emerged over the handling of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Trump, who has shifted the US stance on Kyiv since returning to power, said he would likely meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, though the Ukrainian leader was not invited to the main working session.
Kyiv remains concerned about Trump’s warmer rhetoric toward Moscow and his apparent hesitation to deepen military aid.
Zelensky, speaking at a separate defence forum, called for new US sanctions on Russia and additional air defence support. He warned that “there are no signs that Putin wants to stop this war,” criticizing Moscow for rejecting all peace overtures, including those backed by Washington.
Meanwhile, European leaders attempted to strike a tone of resolve. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the new spending plan a bold response to “radical uncertainty,” and announced the UK would purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons—an expansion of its deterrent capabilities beyond submarine-launched missiles.
Germany also pledged to meet its 3.5% defence target by 2029, six years ahead of schedule, while Spain pushed back, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stating his country would not meet the 5% target—potentially reigniting Trump’s criticism of “free-riders” in the alliance.
NATO’s eastern posture and future role in Ukraine remain key points of contention. While Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed that Ukraine’s membership is “irreversible,” the alliance has opted to avoid formal references to Kyiv’s accession bid during the summit, after Trump made clear he would not support it at this time.
On the sidelines of the summit, Trump also met briefly with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who called for “close dialogue” to help end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Kremlin, reacting to the summit’s opening, condemned NATO’s “rampant militarisation.” Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that the alliance’s military buildup confirmed Moscow’s security concerns and would have consequences.
