Dhakaরোববার, ১৩ জুলাই ২০২৫

NATO Summit Opens in The Hague

Deutsche Welle

Tuesday, 24 June 2025 , 09:50 PM


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NATO allies gathered in The Hague on Tuesday to begin a two-day summit which would see countries in the transnational military alliance discuss a boost their defense spending.

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Leaders, defense and foreign ministers of the 32 member states, along with representatives of NATO's Indo-Pacific partners — Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand — are expected at the summit. 

The Netherlands summit comes amid the shadow of the escalation in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Both crises are likely to be addressed during the session.

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NATO countries are expected to vote in favor of increasing defense spending to 5% at the summit. 

Getting NATO members to shell out more money in defense spending has been a key demand of US President Donald Trump, who is also expected to attend.

Trump casts doubt on NATO vow ahead of summit
US President Donald Trump has sown doubt on his commitment to NATO's core mutual defense pledge as he departed for the key summit in the Netherlands.

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The two-day summit — opening with a dinner hosted by the Dutch King Willem-Alexander — aims to reassure the US leader on defense spending commitments. Trump's return to office has reignited fears he could undermine the transatlantic alliance.

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Asked en route aboard Air Force One whether he remained committed to NATO's Article Five mutual defense clause, Trump said, "Depends on your definition. There's numerous definitions of Article Five," adding only that he was "committed to being their friends."

NATO members have scrambled to meet his demands by agreeing to spend 3.5% of GDP on core military needs by 2035, with an additional 1.5% dedicated to broader security areas such as cyber defense and infrastructure.

Alliance officials insist the buildup is essential to deter Russia, warning that Moscow could recover from its war losses in Ukraine and pose a renewed threat within five years.

Trump says NATO summit will be 'much calmer' than recent days
US President Donald Trump says he is heading to the NATO summit expecting a calmer atmosphere than recent events in the Middle East.

"Heading to NATO where, at worst, it will be a much calmer period than what I just went through with Israel and Iran. I look forward to seeing all of my very good European friends, and others. Hopefully, much will be accomplished!" Trump posted on the social media platform X.

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