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NATO leaders, convening in The Hague, have reached an agreement to elevate defense spending to 5% of their respective nations’ economic output by 2025. This decision follows sustained pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a formal statement, the leaders affirmed their unity in confronting “profound security threats and challenges, in particular the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security and the persistent threat of terrorism.”
Notably absent from the statement, however, was any direct mention of Russian aggression in the ongoing war in Ukraine, a reference that was included in the previous year’s declaration.
Nevertheless, NATO leaders reaffirmed their “ironclad commitment to collective defence,” invoking Article Five, the mutual security guarantee that stipulates an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
“No one should doubt our capacity or determination should our security be challenged,” stated NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. “This is a stronger, fairer, and more lethal alliance that our leaders have begun to build.”
President Trump had earlier appeared to cast doubt on the security guarantee, alluding to “various definitions of Article Five.” However, following the summit, Trump declared, “I stand with [Article Five], that’s why I’m here.”
Several leaders have characterized The Hague summit as historic. Rutte indicated that decisions made on Wednesday would encompass continued support for Ukraine while simultaneously pursuing avenues for peace.
The commitment to increase defense spending over a decade involves a minimum of 3.5% of each member state’s GDP allocated to core defense expenditure by 2035, along with an additional allocation of up to 1.5% for a broad range of investments loosely connected to security infrastructure.
President Trump lauded the summit as a “big success,” stating earlier that the increased spending would be a “great victory for everybody, I think. We will be equalized shortly, and that’s the way it has to be.”
Prior to the meeting, Spain voiced specific objections to the 5% target. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo stated that Madrid was making an “enormous effort” to reach a target of 2.1% and that “the discussion about the percentage is misguided.”
As the leaders convened for the traditional “family photo,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appeared to stand apart at the far end of the group.
Despite this, Sánchez later signed NATO’s statement, maintaining that it was “sufficient, realistic, and compatible” for Madrid to meet its commitments while allocating a smaller percentage of GDP.
The Belgian government also expressed reservations, but Prime Minister Bart de Wever told reporters that while it wouldn’t be easy, “3.5% within 10 years is a realistic goal.”
Slovakia also raised concerns about the significant increase in defense spending, but President Peter Pellegrini indicated that Bratislava would not impede the agreement.
French President Emmanuel Macron challenged President Trump’s trade tariff policies with the European Union and advocated for a trade agreement.
“We can’t say to each other, among allies, we need to spend more… and wage trade war against one another, it makes no sense,” Macron stated.
The Hague summit, which commenced with a dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima on Tuesday evening, was scaled back, with Wednesday’s gathering of leaders scheduled to last only two and a half hours.
Rutte conveyed to NATO leaders that they were meeting at a “dangerous moment,” and that the defense alliance’s guarantee of mutual defense—”an attack on one is an attack on all—sends a powerful message.”
Trump’s visit to The Hague marked his first trip to a NATO summit since 2019. He was also scheduled to meet with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the summit.
However, President Trump appeared more focused on discussing the conflict in the Middle East than the war in Ukraine when addressing reporters on Wednesday.
“He’s got a little difficulty, Zelensky, a nice guy,” Trump commented. “I’ve spoken to Putin a lot… he volunteered help on Iran. I said do me a favour, help us on Russia, not Iran.”
In their final communique, NATO member states emphasized their commitment to providing support for Ukraine, “whose security contributes to ours,” adding that direct contributions to Kyiv’s defense and its defense industry would be included in the assessment of allies’ defense spending.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that NATO was as relevant and important now as it had ever been: “We live in a very volatile world, and today is about the unity of NATO, showing that strength. We’re bigger than we were before, we’re stronger than we were before.”
Mark Rutte appears to approve of the US president’s strong language when Trump spoke about the warring nations on Tuesday.
Nato’s 32 members have agreed a new commitment to spend 5% of GDP on defence and security by 2035.
Downing Street says the move is “the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear posture in a generation”.
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