Regarding whether the US would uphold the mutual defense pledges made by the military alliance, (NATO) the U.S president was evasive.
Among the leaders present at the NATO summit in The Hague is Donald Trump.
Defense chiefs are likely to increase defense expenditure to 5% of their national output during the NATO meeting, which US President Donald Trump is attending in The Hague.
For the US president, who has long urged European partners to support their national security, this might be a significant victory.
Trump and NATO leaders have had a tense relationship, with Trump implying that the US may not always back partners who make insufficient defense budget contributions.
Trump responded to reporters on Air Force One (En route to Europe) when asked if the US is still committed to NATO’s Article 5 clause, saying, “Depends on your definition. There are numerous definitions of Article 5.
You know that, right? But I’m committed to being their friends.”
Nevertheless, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Trump in a private letter that the US president posted to his Truth Social account.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine will also be a major theme. Earlier this evening, Trump also had dinner with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Dutch royal palace.
However, Trump was sat next to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who shared his views. Mark Rutte and Dutch King Willem-Alexander share their table.
Source: DW News and other media outlets
