NATO Summit in The Hague: Allies Under Pressure to Boost Defense Spending
World leaders gathered in The Hague for the highly anticipated NATO summit, where the focus is on escalating defense budgets in response to growing global instability, particularly due to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and the broader Middle East. Amid mounting pressure from the United States, NATO members are poised to endorse significant increases in military spending.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously criticized NATO allies for not meeting their defense spending obligations, asserting that the U.S. shoulders an unfair portion of the alliance’s military burden. He has demanded an increase in defense spending targets from 2% to 5% of GDP, stating that countries failing to comply might not receive U.S. protection.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, addressing reporters ahead of the summit, advocated for “historic new spending targets,” describing this moment as a "once-in-a-generation tectonic shift." She highlighted a newfound European commitment to defense that was previously deemed unthinkable.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed these sentiments, emphasizing a “total commitment” from the U.S. along with expectations for enhanced defense budgets. During a recent meeting in Brussels, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urged NATO allies to commit to the proposed 5% target by the summit.
The response from NATO nations has been mixed, with some, like Spain, labeling the hike as unrealistic. However, others, including Germany, are moving forward. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced plans to strengthen Germany’s military into "Europe’s strongest conventional army," driven by the Russian threat rather than as a concession to Washington.
As NATO prepares for this transformative change, the Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the alliance, claiming it is "created for confrontation," indicating the strained relations that persist amid the summit’s deliberations.
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