In a notable shift from previous years, NATO has dialed down its rhetoric on Russia in this year’s official communiqué, released after its annual summit in The Hague.
The change in language caught the attention of political observers and signals a new tone in how the alliance is approaching the ongoing war in Ukraine—and its broader stance on Moscow.
A Softer Message, But Steady Support for Ukraine
Unlike the strongly worded statements from 2023 and 2024, which described Russia’s actions in Ukraine as a “full-scale invasion” and blamed Moscow directly for the war, this year’s document avoids the more confrontational phrases.
Instead, it emphasizes the allies’ “unwavering sovereign commitments” to support Ukraine, underscoring that Ukraine’s security is intertwined with that of NATO’s own.
While the document still acknowledges the “long-term threat” posed by Russia, it presents a more measured approach, likely aimed at keeping internal unity among NATO members with varying views on escalation and diplomacy.
Defense Spending Becomes the Main Focus
What really stood out in this year’s communiqué wasn’t so much the political positioning—but the financial one.
NATO has announced a new collective goal: member states will work toward investing 5% of their GDP on defense by the year 2035.
That figure includes both core military needs and broader security-related expenses.
This represents a big leap from the current 2% guideline—and it’s clear the move is meant to show that NATO is serious about bolstering its own strength, especially amid rising global tensions.
It also seems tailored to appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has long criticized European members for not spending enough on their own defense.
A Much Shorter Document Sends a Clearer Message
If you’re used to long-winded NATO statements, this year’s might come as a surprise.
At just over 400 words, the 2025 communiqué is barely 10% the length of last year’s version, which topped 5,000 words. That reduction is no accident.
According to reports, the streamlined message was deliberate—a focused effort to keep attention on the new spending target and reduce public disagreements over wording on Russia.
Trump Blocks Tougher Language as Zelensky Pushes Back
Behind closed doors, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had reportedly been lobbying for tougher language condemning Russia’s war.
But according to The Telegraph, President Trump refused to back any version that might interfere with his ongoing talks with Vladimir Putin.
Trump has maintained that Russia is not a threat to NATO and is pushing for peace talks—something Zelensky and his allies view with deep skepticism.
This internal tension highlights the delicate balance NATO is trying to maintain: standing firm in its commitments, while also leaving space for diplomacy.
Next Stops: Turkey and Albania
Looking ahead, NATO has already confirmed the locations for its next two summits.
In 2026, the meeting will take place in Turkey, followed by a summit in Albania.
The alliance also extended its appreciation to the Netherlands for hosting this year’s event in The Hague.
Rutte’s Proposal Pushes the Envelope
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte—recently appointed and already shaking things up—has been a strong voice behind the push to increase defense budgets.
He proposed that in addition to the standard 2% military spending, member nations contribute another 1.5% for military infrastructure, industry development, and other security needs, bringing the total to 5% by 2035.
That proposal is now baked into NATO’s official outlook, suggesting that military investment will be the alliance’s top priority over the next decade.