Video. Trump skips hotel for stay at Dutch royal palace amid NATO summit
President Donald Trump's visit to The Hague was marked not just by diplomacy at the NATO summit, but also by his unexpected overnight stay at the Dutch royal palace.
Skipping the luxury hotels of Noordwijk, he accepted an invitation to reside at Huis Ten Bosch, the Dutch royal palace nestled on the city's leafy edge.
There, he met with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, sharing smiles and photo ops in stark contrast to the tense atmosphere of the NATO summit.
The summit itself could unite or widen divisions among the allies. Trump is pushing hard for a 5% defence spending target, calling out Spain and Canada as "low payers".
His demand has ruffled feathers, while the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites adds further strain. Allies fear internal fractures, just as unity is needed most.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
Article 5: Trump reopens debate on NATO's mutual defence pledge
NATO's cardinal principle – that an attack on one member is an attack on all – came under renewed scrutiny on Wednesday as US President Donald Trump once again cast doubt on how it should be understood. Trump's remarks, made aboard Air Force One on the eve of a NATO summit in The Hague, reignited long-standing fears among European allies that the US may no longer be committed to the principle enshrined in Article 5 of the alliance's founding treaty. "There's numerous definitions of Article 5," Trump said. "You know that, right? But I'm committed to being their friend." Asked again on Wednesday about the clause, Trump appeared to strike a softer tone, telling reporters: "We're with them all the way." But the ambiguity left many NATO members unconvinced. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded quickly, saying he had "no doubt" about the US commitment to the alliance. "For me, there is absolute clarity that the United States is totally committed to NATO, totally committed to Article 5," Rutte told reporters before the start of the summit. A fragile cornerstone Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which was signed in 1949, states that any armed attack against one or more NATO members will be considered an "attack against all members". Each country agrees to take "such action as it deems necessary", including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain security in the North Atlantic area, the article adds. 06:54 The clause was designed to deter Soviet aggression in Europe and was never triggered during the Cold War. It was invoked only once, after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when NATO supported the US-led intervention in Afghanistan. The US has historically resisted language that would make the collective response automatic. "This vague wording leaves room for individual assessment and helps secure consensus among allies," said Olivier Kempf, a senior fellow at the Foundation of the Strategic Research. "When Trump says there are many interpretations of Article 5, he's technically right. It's a leap of faith. It only works because members trust each other." Undermining trust Trump has long criticised NATO, accusing European countries of free riding on US security guarantees. In March, he again questioned whether European allies would defend the US if roles were reversed. "If the United States was in trouble and we called them. We said, 'We got a problem, France. We got a problem. A couple of others, I won't mention. Do you think they're gonna come and protect us? They're supposed to. I'm not so sure," he said during a campaign rally. French President Emmanuel Macron hit back at the time, insisting France was a 'loyal and steadfast ally' and had every right to expect reciprocity. This week, Trump doubled down on demands for increased defence spending. He called the current 2% GDP target insufficient and pushed for a new threshold of 5%, including broader security spending. "NATO was broke," he said. "Then I said, 'You're going to have to lift it to 4% or 5%, and 5% is better.'" 'A great victory' Pressure from Trump appeared to pay off at the summit in The Hague as Washington's NATO allies duly agreed to massively hike defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. For Europe's leaders, it was the price to pay to ensure Trump would endorse a final declaration reaffirming NATO members' "ironclad commitment" to mutual defence. "The Europeans will sign anything, even if their insurance premium just doubled, because the world is more dangerous now," Kempf explained. "I think we're witnessing the birth of a new NATO, which means a more balanced NATO and a NATO which has more European responsibility," said Finnish President Alexander Stubb, whose country recently joined the alliance due to the increased threat from Russia. Trump appeared satisfied with the outcome. "This is a great victory for everyone," he said of the new defence spending deal, which he hailed as a "monumental win" for the US. And while doubts remain over his commitment, his closing remark – "I stand with Article 5" – may offer just enough reassurance to keep NATO's cornerstone intact. For now, the alliance's leap of faith appears to be holding.
France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
Hezbollah hails Iran's 'divine victory' over Israel
In a statement, Hezbollah offered its "most sincere congratulations" to the Islamic republic, praising its "glorious divine victory". The victory, it said, was "manifested in the precise and painful strikes it launched" against Israel, as well as "the lightning response to the American aggression against its nuclear facilities". On Sunday, the United States struck Iranian nuclear facilities following days of Israeli strikes, but a classified intelligence report concluded the attacks had only set back Tehran's nuclear programme by a few months. "This is nothing but the beginning of a new historical phase in confronting American hegemony and Zionist arrogance in the region," Hezbollah said. Hezbollah, which fought a devastating war against Israel last year, expressed its "firm and unwavering support for the Islamic republic, its leadership and people," emphasising that "any surrender, subservience or concession will only increase our enemies' arrogance and dominance over our region". Israel launched a major bombardment of Iranian nuclear and military facilities on June 13, as well as targeted attacks on top scientists and commanders. The Israeli strikes killed at least 627 civilians and wounded more than 4,800, according to the Iranian health ministry. Iran's retaliatory attacks on Israel have killed 28 people, according to Israeli figures. Later Wednesday, hundreds of people rallied outside the Iranian embassy in Beirut, responding to a call from Hezbollah to celebrate "the culmination of the struggle and sacrifices" of the Iranian people "who triumphed over the Israeli-American aggression". Ahmed Mohebbi, 42, who was among the crowd, said: "We are very happy about this victory that Iran achieved, despite the hits it took and attacks by America and Israel to prevent it from continuing its nuclear programme. "Our steadfastness is a victory," he told AFP. The head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc Mohammed Raad said in a speech that Iran was "a regional deterrent force, like it or not." "It proved this with its steadfastness" and by standing up against "a tyrannical enemy who sought to impose its hegemony on the whole region," he said. Iran has backed Hezbollah since the group's founding in the 1980s, providing it with financial and military support. The group was severely weakened in its latest confrontation with Israel, which killed most of its top leadership and destroyed much of its arsenal.
France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
REPLAY: Donald Trump's address at the NATO summit
46:46 25/06/2025 The NATO summit, 'a big success' for Donald Trump 25/06/2025 Mark Rutte's address at NATO summit 25/06/2025 French president Emmanuel Macron speaks at the NATO summit 25/06/2025 NATO leaders agreement is a 'huge victory' for Donald Trump 25/06/2025 NATO leaders agree on spending hike, vow to defend each other 25/06/2025 Iran nuclear: US Intelligence report challenges Trump's claims 25/06/2025 Gaza health authorities report over 40 death in aid queue 25/06/2025 France: Loire castles at risk due to climate change
