Nato leaders commit to invest 5% GDP on defence by 2035, back Ukraine
Nato leaders have committed to invest 5% of GDP annually on defence and security-related spending by 2035 “to ensure our individual and collective obligations” are met, according to the final text of the Hague summit declaration adopted just now.
The declaration says members will submit “annual plans” proving “a credible, incremental path to reach this goal,” with a more comprehensive review of the progress made in 2029.
The five-point declaration also includes a line reaffirming the 32 countries’ “ironclad commitment to collective defence as enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty – that an attack on one is an attack on all.”
The document includes a line promising further support to Ukraine and noting that its “security contributes to ours,” but stops short of directly condemning Russia.
It does include, however, a separate line on “the long term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security.”
Here it is in full:
THE HAGUE SUMMIT DECLARATION
1. We, the Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Alliance, have gathered in The Hague to reaffirm our commitment to NATO, the strongest Alliance in history, and to the transatlantic bond. We reaffirm our ironclad commitment to collective defence as enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty – that an attack on one is an attack on all. We remain united and steadfast in our resolve to protect our one billion citizens, defend the Alliance, and safeguard our freedom and democracy.
2. United in the face of profound security threats and challenges, in particular the long term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security and the persistent threat of terrorism, Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence-and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations, in accordance with Article 3 of the Washington Treaty. Our investments will ensure we have the forces, capabilities, resources, infrastructure, warfighting readiness, and resilience needed to deter and defend in line with our three core tasks of deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security.
3. Allies agree that this 5% commitment will comprise two essential categories of defence investment. Allies will allocate at least 3.5% of GDP annually based on the agreed definition of NATO defence expenditure by 2035 to resource core defence requirements, and to meet the NATO Capability Targets. Allies agree to submit annual plans showing a credible, incremental path to reach this goal. And Allies will account for up to 1.5% of GDP annually to inter alia protect our critical infrastructure, defend our networks, ensure our civil preparedness and resilience, unleash innovation, and strengthen our defence industrial base. The trajectory and balance of spending under this plan will be reviewed in 2029, in light of the strategic environment and updated Capability Targets. Allies reaffirm their enduring sovereign commitments to provide support to Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours, and, to this end, will include direct contributions towards Ukraine’s defence and its defence industry when calculating Allies’ defence spending.
4. We reaffirm our shared commitment to rapidly expand transatlantic defence industrial cooperation and to harness emerging technology and the spirit of innovation to advance our collective security. We will work to eliminate defence trade barriers among Allies and will leverage our partnerships to promote defence industrial cooperation.
5. We express our appreciation for the generous hospitality extended to us by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We look forward to our next meeting in Türkiye in 2026 followed by a meeting in Albania.
Key events
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I’m going to negotiate with Spain myself, they’ll pay more, Trump says
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Trump promises to look at sending Ukraine more Patriot missiles
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Trump calls out Spain for avoiding new spending target, says ‘we will make them pay twice’
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Trump says he leaves summit with ‘a little bit different’ view of Nato after ‘moving’ scenes with leaders
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Trump to speak to Putin to ‘end’ Ukraine war after meeting with Zelenskyy
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‘Possible’ that Putin has territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine, Trump says
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Israel, Iran ‘exhausted’ by conflict, Trump says
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Europe taking more responsibility will help future disasters, but they need to spend on ‘serious military hardware’, preferably US, Trump says
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Trump hails new 5% defence spending target, claims credit for it
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‘Long trip, but worth it,’ Trump says on Nato summit
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Trump speaking after Nato summit
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Zelenskyy welcomes ‘long, substantive’ meeting with Trump on ‘how to protect our people’
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Zelenskyy ‘satisfied’ with Trump meeting – diplomatic source
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New Nato targets affordable given ‘total flexibility’ on how to reach them, Italy’s Meloni says
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Trump, Zelenskyy met on sidelines of Nato summit – Ukrainian broadcaster
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Spain’s Sánchez declares he plans to run for re-election in 2027
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UK’s Starmer insists Trump is a reliable partner, says leaders showed ‘real resolve’ to push for ceasefire in Ukraine
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Coalition of the willing to hold further coordination talks ‘in coming days’, Merz says
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Germany’s Merz says Trump ‘stated very clearly’ his commitment to Nato, Article 5
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Spain will meet capability target, but sees current spending as ‘sufficient,’ PM Sánchez says
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I haven’t changed my views, don’t trust Putin, Rutte says
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Let’s not be naive about Russia, Nato’s Rutte says
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Rutte says Spain committed, progress to capability plans will be reviewed in 2029
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Politicians in Europe and Canada should stop worrying about US and Nato, Rutte says
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Nato’s Article 5 ‘absolutely clear,’ Rutte says, as he praises Trump as ‘man of strength, also man of peace’
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We need to make sure Ukraine has what is needed to stop Putin from trying again, Rutte says
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US ‘more or less at 5% already,’ Rutte says
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Nato’s Rutte defends his praise for Trump
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Nato’s Rutte declares support for Ukraine ‘so it can enjoy a lasting peace in future’
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Trump clear that US is committed to Nato, Rutte says
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Summit lays foundations for stronger, fairer, more lethal Nato, Rutte says
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Rutte briefing press after Nato summit
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Nato conclusions make Europe take greater responsibility, Macron says
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Nato leaders commit to invest 5% GDP on defence by 2035, back Ukraine
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Poland, Hungary make spaceflight comeback with ISS mission
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Czech authorities detain teens over online radicalization
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Jeff Bezos alters Venice wedding plans after threat of inflatable crocodiles
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Eurostar services disrupted after cable theft in north France
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Discussing Trump’s comments on Israel and Iran, Rutte says ‘daddy has to sometimes use strong language’
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Trump gets invited for UK state visit later this year, Buckingham Palace confirms
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Nato summit in The Hague – in pictures
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End of history illusion was shattered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Dutch PM says
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Rutte hails 5% target, defence ramp up plans; calls on Russia to end aggression on Ukraine
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Rutte pointedly praises Trump during Nato’s plenary session
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Nato summit at ‘dangerous moment’ for our citizens, Rutte says
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US Hegseth recognised Nato allies ‘stepped up,’ UK defence minister says
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‘We will discuss the obvious,’ Trump says about his meeting with Zelenskyy
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‘We are with them all the way’, Trump confirms commitment to Article 5
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Trump praises 5% GDP spending commitments as ‘very big news’
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We ramp up spending not to do Trump favour, but because we must do more to counter Russia, German chancellor says
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There should be no sense certain countries are free riding on defence commitment of others, Greek PM says in swipe at Spain
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‘Absolutely no discussion over Article 5,’ Poland’s Duda says, but warns of ‘real risk’ of Russian attack in future
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Nato ‘connecting the dots’ at ‘historic’ summit, Norwegian prime minister says
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No concerns about Article 5, Finnish president says, as he says Nato ‘goes back to roots’ of deterring Russia
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‘There are no opt outs,’ Belgian prime minister says in swipe at Spain
Trump gets asked about Nato secretary general’s Mark Rutte’s “daddy” comment (12:49).
“He likes me, I think he likes mem if he doesn’t it, I’ll let you know, I’ll come back and I’ll hit him hard okay.
He did, he did it [in] very affectionate [way], daddy, hear my daddy.”
He refuses to get into further speculation on the comment, and when asked if Nato can function without the US, he tells reporter to “ask Mark.”
And that’s it. Trump leaves the stage and will be soon off to Washington DC.
I’m going to negotiate with Spain myself, they’ll pay more, Trump says
Trump gets another question about Spain and modulating his voice in a jokey way to make it sound more sinister he says he’s “going to negotiate directly with Spain.”
“I’m going to do it myself. They’ll pay more money this way.
You should tell them to go back and pay. You’re a reporter, tell them to go back, they ought to join all of those countries that are paying 5%.”
Trump promises to look at sending Ukraine more Patriot missiles
Trump says his original promise to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine was “sarcastic,” and concedes “it’s more difficult than people would have any idea.”
He then says:
“Look, Vladimir Putin really has to end that war.”
He then gets into a conversation with a Ukrainian reporter based in Warsaw, who says her husband is an active soldier in the Ukrainian army.
Responding, Trump promises the US will see if it can make more “Patriot” missiles available for Ukraine, stressing “they are very effective, 100% effective.”
He seems moved by the exchange and asks her to “say hello to your husband.”
Trump calls out Spain for avoiding new spending target, says ‘we will make them pay twice’
But then Trump turns against Spain’s attempt to avoid committing to the new 5% target, saying it is “terrible what they have done.”
Responding to a question from a Spanish journalist, he says:
“You’re the only country that is not paying. I don’t know what the problem is.
It’s I think it’s too bad. We’ll make it up.
You know, … We’re negotiating with Spain on a trade deal. We’re going to make them pay twice as much. And I’m actually serious about that. …
I like Spain. I have so many people from Spain that it’s a great place, and they’re great people.
Spain is the only country, out of all of the countries that refuses to … so 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 says he leaves summit with ‘a little bit different’ view of Nato after ‘moving’ scenes with leaders
Oh, that’s interesting.
Trump says he came here “because it was something I am supposed to be doing,” but says he leaves the summit with his mindset “a little bit different” as he says:
“I watched the heads of these countries get up, the love and the passion that they showed for their countries was unbelievable. I’ve never seen quite anything like it.
They want to protect their country.
They need the United States, and without the United States, it’s not going to be the same. And you can ask Mark, or you can ask any of the people that were there. It was really moving to see it.”
He then makes a big commitment to Article 5:
“It was great.
I left here differently.
I left here saying that these people really love their countries, it’s not a ripoff.
And we’re here to help them protect their country.”
Trump to speak to Putin to ‘end’ Ukraine war after meeting with Zelenskyy
On his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump says “I wanted to know how he’s doing,” and says the meeting was “very nice” even though they “had little rough times” in the past.
On the Russian invasion, he says:
“I think he’d like to see an end to this. I do.
I think what I took from the meeting couldn’t have been nicer, actually, but I took from the meeting that he’d like to see it end. I think it’s a great time to end it.
I’m going to speak to Vladimir Putin see if we can get it ended.”
He then gets asked about Finland and talks about buying Finnish icebreakers.
“We’re trying to buy it. I’m trying to make a good deal. All I do my whole life, my whole life, that’s all I do is make deals.”
Trump also says “we are going to talk” to Iran next week, and suggests they “may sign an agreement,” but adds “I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“I mean, they had a war they fought. Now they’re going back to their world.
I don’t care if I have an agreement or not.
The only thing we would be asking for is what we were asking for before, we want no nuclear.”
‘Possible’ that Putin has territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine, Trump says
Asked about comments from Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that Russia’s Putin could have broader territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine, Trump says it is “possible.”
But he then says:
“I know one thing he’d like to settle, he’d like to get out of this thing. It’s a mess for him.”
Israel, Iran ‘exhausted’ by conflict, Trump says
Trump gets asked what makes him so confident that the Israel-Iran war is over.
He says:
“I dealt with both, they’re both tired, exhausted.
They fought very, very hard and very viciously, very violently, and they were both satisfied to go home and get out.
And can it start again?
I guess someday, it can. It could maybe start soon.
I think a big telltale sign was when, as you know, Iran, somewhat, not much, violated the ceasefire. And Israel had the planes going out that morning, and there were a lot of them, 52 of them.
And I said, you got to get them back, and they brought them back. They didn’t do anything. They brought them back. It was very good. I thought it was amazing, actually.”
He then concludes on Iran:
“I don’t see them being back involved in the nuclear business anymore.”
Trump has been on a long detour about the Iran attack.
To give you a taster,
“The amazing thing about the shots, they hit the shots perfectly, and yet it was dead dark. There was no moon, there was no light. It was virtually moonless. It was very dark, and they hit the shots were hit perfectly.”
Europe taking more responsibility will help future disasters, but they need to spend on ‘serious military hardware’, preferably US, Trump says
On Ukraine, Trump says:
“Europe stepping up to take more responsibility for its security will help prevent future disasters like the horrible situation with Russia and Ukraine, and hopefully we’re going to get that solved.”
He then makes a big sales pitch on behalf of the US industries, saying:
“It’s vital that this additional money be spent on very serious military hardware bureaucracy, and hopefully hardware is going to be made in America, because we have the best hardware in the world.”
He then offers this insight into Iran’s counter-strike on the US base in Qatar:
“You saw that where 14 missiles were shot at us the other day, and they were very nice, they gave us warning.
They said, ‘We’re going to shoot them. Is one o’clock, okay?’
It’s fine, and everybody was emptied off the base so they couldn’t get hurt, except for the gunners … and the 14 high end missiles that were shot at the base in Qatar, all 14, as you know, were shot down by our equipment.
Amazing stuff, amazing that they can do. It’s like shooting a bullet with a bullet.”
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