As NATO leaders convene in The Hague for a pivotal summit, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasized the necessity of a robust collective defense strategy in response to Russia’s aggressive posture. Speaking to the German parliament ahead of the summit, Merz asserted that President Vladimir Putin’s intentions regarding Ukraine are clear, stating that the Russian leader only comprehends the “language of force.” He underscored Germany’s commitment to meeting its “fair share” of defense responsibilities in Europe.
U.S. President Donald Trump, attending his first NATO summit since 2019, is among the 32 leaders expected to endorse a substantial commitment to defense spending, aiming for an allocation of 3.5% of national GDP towards defense and an additional 1.5% for related infrastructure initiatives.
Focus on defense investment amid regional tensions
Amid escalating tensions exemplified by the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged European allies to concentrate on strengthening their defense capabilities rather than worrying about U.S. support, which he claimed remains unwavering. Rutte noted that Europe and Canada have committed over $35 billion in military assistance to Ukraine this year alone, amidst a backdrop of recent Russian missile attacks that left ten people dead in Ukraine.
The Chancellor highlighted the failure of diplomatic efforts to engage Russia constructively, stating that “every attempt to bring Russia to the negotiating table has so far been unsuccessful.” The latest missile strikes in Ukraine, particularly in Dnipro and Sumy, resulted in numerous casualties, including children, heightening the urgency for NATO’s collective response.
New defense spending benchmarks set for NATO allies
During the summit, NATO member states are set to ratify a new defense investment plan that seeks to raise the baseline defense spending commitment to 5% of GDP. While many allies currently fall short of the 3.5% benchmark proposed for 2035, Germany has signaled its intent to meet this goal by 2029, planning to allocate €62.4 billion for defense in 2025, escalating to €152.8 billion by 2029.
Merz firmly stated, “We’re not doing that as a favour to the US and its president; we’re doing this out of our own view and conviction, because Russia is actively and aggressively endangering the security and freedom of the entire Euro-Atlantic area.” This commitment aligns with similar pledges from other leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who confirmed that the UK would adhere to the 5% target by 2035.
Despite these commitments, some member states, such as Spain, are seeking exemptions from the new spending requirements, citing domestic political challenges. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has argued that the proposed increase is impractical, leading to a potential rift within NATO discussions.
As leaders gather in The Hague, logistical challenges have also surfaced, with disruptions in train services from Schiphol Airport following reports of cable damage, potentially linked to sabotage. Security Minister David Van Weel has indicated that investigations are underway to ascertain the cause of the disruption.