THE HAGUE — NATO allies reached a significant agreement on Wednesday, committing to a substantial increase in defense spending. This strategic move is aimed at reinforcing unity among member nations while keeping U.S. President Donald Trump engaged and countering Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s influence.
The consensus was achieved by presenting Trump with what he described as “a great victory.” In a meticulously orchestrated summit focused on efficiency and predictability, leaders endorsed a new objective of allocating 5 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) towards defense by 2035. This target will consist of 3.5 percent dedicated to enhancing “hard” capabilities such as weapons and troop readiness, alongside 1.5 percent earmarked for defense-related investments, including cybersecurity and mobility enhancements.
Trump’s Influence on NATO Spending
Trump characterized the outcome as “a monumental win for the United States,” crediting his pressure on alliance members for their commitment to increasing defense budgets. He expressed satisfaction in witnessing allied leaders’ commitment to their nations’ security, asserting that NATO should not be seen as a financial burden.
“This is a stronger, fairer and more lethal alliance that NATO leaders have begun to build,” Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated shortly after the summit concluded. “President Trump made it clear: America is committed to NATO … At the same time, he made clear that America expects European allies and Canada to contribute more. And that is exactly what we see them doing.”
The leaders’ final summit declaration, succinctly crafted into five paragraphs, affirmed the new long-term defense spending goal and emphasized a rapid expansion of defense production across the alliance. Rutte praised Trump for his insistence on increased military budgets and highlighted his commitment to NATO, even dubbing him the “daddy” for mediating tensions between Israel and Iran.
Challenges and Unity at the Summit
Other leaders echoed Rutte’s sentiments. Poland’s President Andrzej Duda remarked, “This is the success of President Donald Trump. He was the one who demanded that NATO nations raise their defense spending.” During the tightly controlled two-and-a-half-hour leaders’ roundtable, Trump adopted a surprisingly measured demeanor, reinforcing America’s commitment to NATO for the next four years, which coincides with the duration of his potential second term. He acknowledged the challenges of burden-sharing while commending the unity among allies.
Following the summit, Trump expressed feeling “honored” to participate in the discussions. His upbeat mood was reportedly further buoyed by a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his flight, wherein Netanyahu agreed to adhere to Trump’s ceasefire proposal concerning Iran.
However, the summit was not without its challenges. Tensions flared prior to the meeting when Spain threatened to disrupt the agreement by opposing the headline spending target, claiming an opt-out that prompted similar demands from Belgium and Slovakia for greater flexibility.
The newly established capability targets pose a significant benchmark, with NATO estimating that countries would need to allocate about 3.5 percent of their GDP to meet these goals. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez argued that his country could meet these targets with only 2.1 percent of GDP, a point that Trump dismissed as “terrible,” warning of potential trade repercussions for Spain.
During the summit, concerns arose regarding Trump’s remarks suggesting ambiguity around NATO’s common defense Article 5 provision. Nevertheless, by the end of the conference, he reiterated, “We are here to help them defend their country.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that Trump had unequivocally affirmed his dedication to NATO’s mutual defense clause, while Duda confirmed there were no indications of doubt in Trump’s commitment.
This year’s summit placed less emphasis on Ukraine than in past meetings, reflecting Trump’s cautious approach toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his ongoing engagement with Russia. Trump labeled Putin as “misguided” and mentioned post-summit discussions with Zelenskyy regarding peace pursuits.
The concluding declaration from the summit did not address Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO but reaffirmed allies’ steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine, indicating that military assistance would count towards member nations’ defense spending goals. Rutte emphasized NATO’s unwavering support for Ukraine, while French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted that Russia’s aggression remains a primary concern for Europe, justifying the alliance’s long-term rearmament efforts.