NATO Summit Debates Defense Spending, Ukraine, Article 5

At the NATO summit in The Hague, President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are meeting for the first time since April to discuss Ukraine’s security needs, a new defense package, and Russian aggression. The summit is marked by debates over a proposed 5% of GDP defense spending pledge, which both the US and Spain have called unreasonable, though some European allies support it. Trump has refused to unequivocally commit to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause, causing concern among European members and prompting calls for Europe to strengthen its own security efforts. European leaders succeeded in getting a mention of support for Ukraine included in the summit declaration, but the Trump administration has ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine at this time. The summit takes place against a backdrop of shifting global attention, following Trump’s role in brokering a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Bilateral meetings, including one between Turkish President Erdoğan and Trump, highlight the alliance’s focus on unity and strategic threats.