Latest news with #HagueSummit
LBCI
3 hours ago
- Business
- LBCI
Trump says will make Spain 'pay' on trade for resisting NATO spending hike
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to punish Spain on trade over Madrid's resistance to commit to NATO's new headline defense spending target of five percent of GDP. "They want a little bit of a free ride, but they'll have to pay it back to us on trade, because I'm not going to let that happen. It's unfair," Trump told journalists at the end of NATO's Hague summit. AFP
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Nato: Five takeaways from Hague summit on hiking defence spending
For the Netherlands this was the biggest security operation in its history; for Nato's 32 member states the Hague summit was historic too. There were unexpected moments of levity in among the momentous decisions over the looming threat from Russia and raising defence spending to levels not seen since the Cold War. Here is what we learned from a whirlwind two days in The Hague. Big spike in defence spending The main takeaway is the allies' commitment to a 5% defence spending target, to be reached within a decade. It's a remarkable jump from the current 2% guideline, which currently isn't even met by eight Nato members out of 3.5% of that figure is meant to be achieved entirely through core defence spending on troops and weapons – while the remaining 1.5% can be put towards "defence-related expenditure".And that's a suitably broad concept that can apply to spending even only loosely linked to defence: as long as it is used to "protect our critical infrastructure, defend our networks, ensure our civil preparedness and resilience, unleash innovation, and strengthen our defence industrial base".Reaching that 3.5% core defence spending target will still be a significant ask for many Nato countries, many of which currently hover around the 2% to reach the 5% figure will have to be submitted annually and will have to follow a "credible, incremental path". A review will take place in 2029. One for all and all for one For as long as Nato has existed, its Article Five on collective defence has been a core principle that means an attack against one ally is considered an attack on all. So when Trump suggested on the way to the summit there were "numerous definitions" of the mutual security guarantee, it was a reminder of comments he made on the campaign trail last year, when he suggested if a country did not pay its way "I would not protect you, in fact I would encourage [Moscow] to do whatever they want".This summit agreement appears to put to bed any lingering concerns about Trump's intentions because it reaffirms "our ironclad commitment to collective defence". "I stand with [Article Five], that's why I'm here," he told reporters reassurance will be well received by Nato member states seen as under most threat, but then they paid their way anyway. And Trump has gone back to Washington with a deal that means all other member states have agreed to do up their spending too. Trump and the Russian war The Russia question was always going to be tricky. Most Nato countries – particularly those in close proximity to the Russian border – are in agreement that Moscow could pose a direct threat to them in the near future; Rutte himself has said Russia could use military force against the alliance within five year's end-of-summit declaration referenced – in no uncertain terms – Moscow's "brutal war of aggression" several Trump has had a much softer approach to Moscow, and has resisted treating it as an adversary. As such it was always unlikely he was going to approve a declaration that labelled Russia as the clear culprit for the bloody Ukraine war, now more than three years while the statement mentions the "long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security" and reaffirms the need to provide enduring support to Ukraine, there is no specific condemnation of Russia in the communique. The nine Nato countries that missed their defence spending targetsUkraine in maps: Tracking the war with RussiaWho's in Nato and how much do they spend on defence? Spain accused by Trump of wanting 'a free ride' Ever since Volodymyr Zelensky's difficult experience in the White House last February, European leaders have sought to avoid getting off on the wrong foot with Donald Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez went to The Hague already mired in domestic political scandals and he was expecting a tough props up the bottom of the Nato spending league with 1.24% of economic output on defence. He came to The Hague insisting that 2.1% was plenty, and told reporters after signing the summit declaration that Spain considered the amount "sufficient, realistic and compatible with our social model and welfare state". The Spanish PM was noticeably aloof during the "family photo", preferring to stand on the end away from his Nato colleagues. There were suggestions that he had gone out of his way to avoid Trump Sánchez had already caught Trump's eye and the US president was having none of it."It's terrible, what they've done," said Trump, who accused Madrid of seeking "a little bit of a free ride". "We're negotiating with Spain on a trade deal but we're going to make them pay twice."Because Spain is a member of the European Union, Trump will find that difficult to do - but Sánchez will go back to Madrid isolated in Nato as well as struggling at home. Rutte and his 'daddy issues' No-one would have been more keenly aware of the potential pitfalls of this summit than Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, who was involved in a surprising exchange with the US president in which he referred to him as "daddy".Rutte had already flattered Trump in a private message for "decisive action in Iran" that "NO American president in decades could have done". Trump had then posted his words on his social media network and Rutte denied being then in a joint appearance with Trump on Wednesday, Rutte reacted to Trump describing the war between Israel and Iran as "like two kids in a schoolyard" who had had a big fight."And then daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get them to stop."Asked if he had gone too far with his flattery, Rutte said he didn't think so: "I think he deserves all the praise."Trump, flanked by a smirking Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, seemed amused by the whole thing: "I think he likes me, if he doesn't… I'll come back and hit him hard. He did it very affectionately: 'Daddy you're my daddy,'" he laughed.
Al Bawaba
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Zelenskyy in a suit? Rare appearance at NATO summit goes viral
ALBAWABA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently went viral on social media after cameras captured him at the 2025 Hague Summit wearing a sleek black suit, contrary to his usual army-themed olive uniform due to Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia. Also Read Trump's 'bomb Iran' music video causes stir His striking appearance sparked widespread speculations regarding the Ukraine-Russia war, with some claiming on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the black suit could be a symbol of a possible end to it. On the contrary, others recalled Zelenskyy's White House debate with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in March 2025, when a journalist called out the Ukrainian President for not wearing a suit. The reporter asked Zelenskyy, "Why don't you wear a suit? Do you own one?" Which prompted him to reply, "Do you have a problem? I will wear a suit after this war finishes. Maybe something like yours, maybe something better..." It's important to note that the Ukrainian President did not attend the core NATO summit, but was only invited to the royal-hosted banquet on June 24. However, Zelenskyy had already met with Trump to discuss the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war. Many NATO leaders attended the summit, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to discuss political concerns, set new strategies, and demonstrate unity and resolve.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
NATO leaders to meet amid Israel-Iran conflict: What's on the table?
NATO leaders will gather in The Hague, Netherlands, from June 24 to 25, for a summit aimed at strengthening the Alliance's deterrence and defense posture amid mounting global threats. Heads of State and Government from all 32 member countries, including US President Donald Trump, are expected to attend. The meeting comes at a time when West Asia has seen escalating tensions owing to the Israel-Iran conflict. The two-day meeting will focus on strengthening collective defense, increasing military spending, and maintaining unity within the Alliance. According to NATO, a central agenda item is ensuring the Alliance has the necessary resources, forces and capabilities to face any threat. The summit is expected to produce a commitment from European allies to increase defense spending—a key demand from Trump, who has previously criticised NATO members for not meeting the 2% GDP target. However, ahead of the 2025 Hague Summit, he escalated his demand, urging European allies to boost spending to 5% of GDP—including 3.5% for core military and 1.5% for defense-related infrastructure and cybersecurity. Ahead of the summit, Trump clarified that the United States should not be required to meet the same 5% GDP defence-spending target he demands of NATO allies, as per reports by Politico. Despite the push for increased budgets, many NATO states still fall short of fulfilling capability commitments. Rutte has also warned, as per BBC, that Russia could attack a NATO country within five years. The BBC reports that the summit has been carefully tailored to avoid confrontation with President Trump. The final communiqué has been shortened to five paragraphs and the main discussions limited to three hours—moves interpreted by some analysts as efforts to accommodate Trump's preferences and preserve Alliance cohesion. Mark Rutte, seen as having a cordial relationship with Trump, is reportedly seeking to give the US President a win on defense spending while avoiding deeper rifts over trade, Russia, and Middle East conflicts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the summit dinner but will not participate in the main North Atlantic Council discussions. Though Russia's war in Ukraine remains one of the gravest threats to European security, discussions on Ukraine and Russia have reportedly been excluded to avoid tensions with the US delegation. Kurt Volker, former US ambassador to NATO, told the BBC: The US 'does not see Ukrainian security as essential to European security, but our European allies do.' Dutch authorities have launched the largest security operation in the country's history, as per BBC, for what will be NATO's most expensive summit to date, with a reported budget of €183.4 million ($210 million). (With inputs from NATO official website, BBC, Politico)
RTHK
10-06-2025
- Business
- RTHK
Nato chief calls for quantum leap in air defence
Nato chief calls for quantum leap in air defence NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte wants Nato members to ramp up defence spending at the Hague Summit. Photo: AFP Nato head Mark Rutte on Monday called for a quantum leap in air and missile defence capabilities. His comments came as he pushes for Nato members to commit to a ramping up of defence spending at the Hague Summit later this month. To maintain credible deterrence and defence, Nato needs "a 400-percent increase in air and missile defence", the former Dutch prime minister said. Rutte is urging Nato members to commit to 3.5 percent of GDP on direct military spending by 2032, and an additional 1.5 percent on broader security-related expenditure. The proposal is a compromise deal designed to satisfy US President Donald Trump, who has demanded that allies each spend five percent of economic output on defence, up from a current commitment of two percent. (AFP)
