NATO leaders are converging in The Hague for a crucial summit where they are set to contemplate a dramatic increase in defense spending, potentially rising to 5% of their respective countries' economic output. This move comes after extensive lobbying from US President Donald Trump, who emphasized the need for alliance members to "equalize" their defense expenditures.
In his opening remarks, Secretary General Mark Rutte underscored the historical nature of the summit, citing the longstanding financial imbalance within the alliance, with the United States bearing a disproportionate share of the burden. "For too long, one ally, the United States, carried too much of the burden," Rutte stated, asserting that this dynamic would fundamentally change moving forward.
Throughout the summit, several leaders have referred to the discussions as unprecedented, with Rutte reaffirming commitments to ongoing support for Ukraine and efforts towards establishing a peace framework. Notably, Spain sits as the only dissenting voice against the target of 3.5% defense spending by 2035, coupled with an additional 1.5% directed toward related initiatives. The Spanish Economy Minister, Carlos Cuerpo, criticized the emphasis on percentages: "The discussion about the percentage is misguided," he insisted.
Despite some reservations, including from Belgium, Prime Minister Bart de Wever conveyed that the target of 3.5% could realistically be achieved in a decade. The summit commenced with a gala dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, with the following day's discussions expected to be concise.
Rutte reminded attendees of the precarious global situation, emphasizing the defense alliance's core principle of mutual protection – "an attack on one is an attack on all." However, tension was visible during the traditional family photo when Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appeared distanced from other leaders.
Trump's presence marked his first NATO summit since 2019, following which he was set to converse with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Interestingly, Trump showed a preference for discussing Middle Eastern tensions rather than the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that Zelensky may have challenges ahead in garnering support.
As discussions surged around defense funding, Trump notably suggested ambiguity regarding the alliance's mutual defense clause, Article Five, prompting Rutte to call for focus and dedication from European allies regarding defense investments and the situation in Ukraine.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed the importance of NATO's unity, declaring, "We live in a very volatile world and today is about the unity of NATO, showing that strength," reinforcing the notion that the alliance has grown stronger in the face of current global uncertainties.
