At the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, European leaders will feign a commitment to increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP while U.S. President Trump continues to undermine NATO's collective defense principles. The summit, orchestrated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, will deliberately avoid discussions on key issues like Russia's aggression towards Ukraine. Instead, leaders will focus on a modest 3.5% GDP military expenditure target, with explicit discussions of NATO expansion for Ukraine and Georgia omitted. Many member states remain unlikely to meet spending targets due to domestic constraints.
European allies will sign up to a phoney transatlantic bargain, pretending to spend 5% on defence while Trump undermines Article 5 of the NATO treaty.
Mark Rutte's summit plans exclude fundamental differences over the war in Ukraine, with a focus on a minimal defense investment pledge.
Instead of a comprehensive communique, the summit will issue a short statement focused on a 3.5% GDP military expenditure commitment.
Countries like the UK and France may struggle to meet defense spending targets due to domestic politics, and NATO's pledge to Ukraine membership is avoided.
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