As leaders from NATO countries gathered in The Hague for a critical summit, U.S. President Donald Trump stirred unease among European allies with some ambiguous remarks about NATO’s famous “collective defence” commitment.
When asked whether the U.S. would stand behind Article Five — the clause that says an attack on one ally is an attack on all — Trump gave a noncommittal answer that left many wondering where America truly stands.
“It Depends on Your Definition,” Trump Says on Article Five
Trump told reporters, “Depends on your definition,” when questioned about Article Five.
He acknowledged there are “numerous definitions” of the clause but stopped short of fully endorsing it.
Instead, he emphasized his commitment to being “their friend.”
This vague stance raised alarms because Article Five is a cornerstone of NATO’s military alliance, invoked only once — after the 9/11 attacks — to rally collective support for the U.S.
European Leaders Try to Calm the Waters
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte quickly sought to smooth tensions as the summit got underway, expressing confidence that the U.S. remains “totally committed” to the alliance’s founding principles.
The summit planners were clearly cautious to avoid any flare-ups from Trump, giving him credit for recent defense spending agreements and keeping the agenda brief.
Rutte Praises Trump’s Role in Boosting European Defense Spending
Ahead of the meeting, Rutte praised Trump warmly for pushing European countries to increase their defense budgets.
In an enthusiastic message that Trump shared on social media, Rutte declared, “Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win.”
The hope was to encourage Trump and keep him engaged with NATO’s future.
Allies Promise to Boost Defense Budgets Significantly
In a clear sign of goodwill toward the U.S., NATO members prepared to endorse a pledge to raise their defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, plus an additional 1.5% for areas like cybersecurity and infrastructure.
Trump, in turn, assured he was “committed to helping” leaders he said he had befriended, though he hinted that detailed discussions would come later, “not on the back of an airplane.”
Europe Prepares for New Security Challenges Amid Rising Threats
European countries have been stepping up efforts to share more of the defense burden and demonstrate readiness to handle threats without leaning solely on Washington.
The UK government, for instance, recently issued a stark national security strategy warning that Britain must “actively prepare” for possible direct attacks on its soil — a sign of the tense global environment shaped by cyberattacks, sabotage, and hostile actions from countries like Russia and Iran.
Investment in AI and Defense Is Part of the New Strategy
The UK’s updated strategy focuses on protecting the homeland and overseas interests, with notable investments in artificial intelligence and defense capabilities.
Rutte echoed this spirit by highlighting that the planned spending increases by European nations and Canada would help them defend themselves and “equalise” with the U.S. in military readiness — something he called “fair.”
Trump Enjoyed Royal Treatment but Remains Vocal on Spending
Reports from The Hague indicated that Trump was in an “excellent mood” after dining with the Dutch king and queen and staying overnight at their palace.
Yet, he has long expressed frustration that European nations don’t contribute enough to their own security, a concern intensified by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Spain Stands Out as a NATO Spending Holdout
Spain, however, has been reluctant to meet NATO’s higher defense spending goals, calling the proposed 5% target “unreasonable.”
This stance drew Trump’s ire, with the president calling Spain’s position “very unfair” and sharing a graphic criticizing Madrid for lagging behind other NATO members.
Spain is only expected to meet the current 2% target after a large financial boost this year.
Spending Increases Aim to Contain Russia, But Divisions Remain
The overall spending hike is viewed as historic and necessary to keep Russia in check, but Trump’s unpredictable approach still threatens NATO unity.
His outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin and complicated relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have disrupted Western policies.
Zelensky to Meet Trump in The Hague, But with Tensions in the Air
Zelensky is scheduled for a private meeting with Trump during the summit, though officials hope to avoid a repeat of their famously tense Oval Office confrontation.
Unlike past summits, Zelensky will not attend the main leaders’ session, which has been shortened, reportedly because Trump dislikes long discussions.
NATO’s Support for Ukraine Remains Strong but Cautious
Rutte assured that NATO’s support for Kyiv is “unwavering and will persist,” yet the alliance will steer clear of discussing Ukraine’s membership bid after Trump rejected the idea.
A European diplomat summarized the atmosphere bluntly: “We have a completely unpredictable US president.”
Summit Preparations Aim to Avoid Controversy but Uncertainty Looms
Diplomats and officials have taken many steps to reduce the risk of a disruptive Trump comment dominating the summit’s narrative.
But with so much at stake, and so many questions still unanswered, the future of NATO’s cohesion remains uncertain as this pivotal gathering unfolds.