The Hague, Netherlands — NATO leaders have agreed to increase collective defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, following strong pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who described the move as a “big win for Europe and Western civilization.”
In a joint declaration, member states cited the “long-term threat posed by Russia” and terrorism, reaffirming the Article 5 mutual defence guarantee, though notably omitting a direct condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this year — a shift from previous communiques.
Key Highlights from the Summit:
- Spending Breakdown:
- 3.5% of GDP to be spent on core defence.
- Up to 1.5% on broader security infrastructure and technology.
- Article 5: Despite earlier ambiguity, Trump publicly reaffirmed his support for NATO’s mutual defence clause.
- Ukraine: Leaders pledged continued support, including direct defence contributions and industrial support, to be factored into future NATO assessments.
Mixed Reactions from Member States:
- Spain and Belgium expressed hesitation over the steep 5% target, but ultimately signed the joint statement.
- French President Emmanuel Macron warned against escalating trade tensions within the alliance while calling for greater unity.
- Slovakia raised concerns but did not block the resolution.
Rutte and Trump Exchange Praise
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the alliance as becoming “stronger, fairer, and more lethal.” He praised Trump’s leadership, particularly on Iran-Israel mediation, referencing the U.S. president’s colorful language amid ceasefire tensions.
Trump, meanwhile, described NATO’s strengthened military commitment as a “big success” and emphasized his efforts to negotiate peace in Ukraine and contain conflicts in the Middle East.
UK Stance
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the spending commitment, calling NATO “as relevant and important now as ever” and reaffirming the UK’s solidarity with allies in a “volatile world.”
