NATO arms itself against potential threats from Russia

The leaders of the 32 NATO member states gathered at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague on Tuesday evening (June 24) for a state dinner hosted by the Dutch royal family on the occasion of the summit of the western defense alliance. The meeting is the first NATO meeting attended by President Donald Trump since returning to the White House. As a guest of the Dutch royal couple, the US President will stay at Huis ten Bosch Palace during the two-day summit in The Hague.

The main topic of the meeting is the decision to increase NATO defense and armament spending, which will be the largest since the end of the Cold War. By 2035, defense spending is expected to reach five percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Currently, it is two percent. In the future, at least 3.5 percent of GDP should be spent on conventional military spending. In addition, investments in the fight against terrorism or infrastructure that can also be used by the military will also be taken into account in the amount of 5%.

Merz: Germany ready for more responsibility

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who represents Germany at the meeting, said before departing for The Hague that Germany is ready to take on more responsibility within the alliance. "Germany is back on the European and international stage," Merz said.

Germany, Berlin 2025 | Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives the government statement on the NATO and EU summits. Merz speaking with his hands resting on the desk

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said before leaving for The Hague that Germany is ready to take on more responsibility within the alliance. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa/picture alliance

In a government statement before the summit, Chancellor Merz criticized President Putin for his continued lack of willingness for peace. He again called for tougher sanctions against Russia and expressed confidence that the US government would follow suit. "Putin only understands the language of force," Merz emphasized.

Flattery for Trump

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sent a flattering message to President Trump, a screenshot of which Trump posted on his Truth Social portal. In his personal message, Rutte wrote: “It wasn’t easy, but we got everyone to sign the 5 percent pledge! Donald, you have brought us to a really, really important moment for America, Europe and the world.”

In Trumpian style, who uses capital letters, Rutte added: “Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win.”

Supporting role for Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is attending the meeting as a guest, will play a more of a supporting role. Under pressure from Trump, the alliance will not write Ukraine a new check worth billions. According to diplomats, the final statement will also not mention the idea of ​​a NATO membership perspective for Ukraine - unlike the last summit in Washington with Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden.

NATO Summit in The Hague 2025 | Press conference with Antonio Costa, Volodymyr Zelenski, Mark Rutte and Ursula von der Leyen

Mark Rutte calming Zelensky, who is worried that the war in Ukraine is no longer in the alliance's focus. Photo: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images

Overall, the summit in The Hague marks a step back for Ukraine. Last year, the Ukrainian president was still in the spotlight: allies promised him support worth 40 billion euros, and in the end even offered him about 50 billion euros. Also, at the request of the United States, Zelensky will not be at the summit session.

Rutte tries to calm Zelensky

Rutte tried to calm Zelensky, who is concerned that the war in Ukraine is no longer on the alliance's radar. Rutte told Zelensky that decisions made last year in Washington remain valid.

For this year's summit, President Trump rejected any further mention of Ukraine joining NATO. Trump still hopes to end Russia's aggressive war by making concessions to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. One of them is that in exchange for a ceasefire, Ukraine would have to temporarily give up its NATO membership./DW