NATO leaders have expressed strong support for a significant increase in defense spending, reiterating their commitment to mutual defense in a summit tailored for U.S. President Donald Trump. As they convened, a key resolution emerged: members endorsed a heightened defense spending goal of 5% of GDP by 2035. This decision not only responds to President Trump’s insistence but also addresses European concerns regarding the rising threat posed by Russia, particularly following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
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The summit’s statement emphasized, “We reaffirm our ironclad commitment to collective defense as enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty – that an attack on one is an attack on all.” This came after President Trump raised eyebrows the day prior by suggesting there are “numerous definitions” of this pivotal clause. Nevertheless, he assured NATO members, “We’re with them all the way.”
Despite the overall agreement, Spain declared that it would not meet the proposed spending goal, asserting it can fulfill its commitments with significantly less. President Trump remarked that Spain’s stance was “very terrible” and pledged to ensure the country compensates for the shortfall. “We’re negotiating with Spain on a trade deal. We’re going to make them pay twice as much,” stated Trump.
As an EU member, Spain’s trade negotiations are handled by the European Commission, so Trump’s threats may face challenges without broader EU context. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confidently responded, stating that Spain is “always the solution and never the problem.” He added, “If we had accepted what was proposed, Spain would have had to allocate more than €300 billion between now and 2035. Where do these resources come from? From higher taxes on citizens? From cuts to education, healthcare, and pensions?”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recognized the difficulties European and Canadian countries face in finding additional funding, asserting it is crucial given the current international security landscape. “There is absolute conviction among my colleagues that, in light of the threat from Russia, there is no alternative,” he stated in The Hague.
The updated spending target aims for 3.5% of GDP on core defense initiatives—such as military personnel and equipment—and another 1.5% on broader defense-related measures like cybersecurity and infrastructure. While this commitment is a significant leap from the current 2% goal, Spain maintains its view that it can fulfill its obligations with lower expenditure.
In an effort to facilitate a productive summit and appease President Trump, Rutte engaged in diplomatic negotiations with Sanchez, ultimately accepting a compromise. Spain expressed that it does not foresee any negative repercussions stemming from its stance.
Watch: Mark Rutte likens addressing Trump to a parent intervening in a schoolyard dispute.
During the summit, Rutte compared Trump’s intervention to a “daddy” stepping in during a children’s quarrel, highlighting the need for strong leadership in tumultuous times. This analogy followed Trump’s colorful remarks about the conflicts between Israel and Iran, which he described as a “fight like two kids in a schoolyard.” Rutte emphasized the need for intervention, stating, “Daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get (them to) stop.”
Following a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, Trump expressed optimism about future discussions, stating, “We’re going to talk to them next week, with Iran. We may sign an agreement. I don’t know. To me, I don’t think it’s that necessary.” Trump hailed the swift resolution to the conflict, framing it as a victory while downplaying initial assessments from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Meanwhile, Trump indicated that he is considering supplying additional Patriot missiles to Ukraine in response to increasing Russian strikes, noting, “We are going to see if we can make some of them available.” After a productive meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, both leaders characterized advancements in the ongoing conflict positively.
As the summit concluded, it became clear that while differences remain, NATO leaders are united in their commitment to bolster defense spending and strengthen alliances for the challenges ahead.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International—Monitoring.
