Trump Hails NATO’s New 5% Defence Spending Pledge as “Historic Achievement”
by AZ Demon - June 25, 2025At the recent NATO summit in The Hague, member nations reached a significant accord, agreeing to elevate defence spending to 5% of their respective GDPs by 2035. U.S. President Donald Trump enthusiastically endorsed this commitment, labeling it a “big win for Europe and Western civilisation.”
Trump Calls NATO’s New Defence Spending a “Big Win”
At a big meeting in The Hague, NATO leaders have agreed to spend more on defence, reaching 5% of their country’s money (GDP) by 2035—a move U.S. President Donald Trump strongly supported. He called it a “big win for Europe.”
NATO’s statement said they are united against big threats like Russia and terrorism. They also promised to help each other if attacked, which is called collective defence. Trump himself had doubted this idea just days before, but at the meeting, he said, “I stand with [collective defence], that's why I'm here.”
The meeting was called “historic” and showed strong support for Ukraine. The money for defence will be split: 3.5% for soldiers and weapons, and 1.5% for other things like cyber security. They want to reach this goal by 2035.
There were some problems, though. Spain didn’t want to spend so much, saying it was too hard for their economy. This caused tension with Trump, who warned about trade issues. Slovakia and Belgium also had worries.
French President Macron said it didn't make sense to ask for more money for defence while also starting trade fights. But NATO's leader, Mark Rutte, said the group is now "stronger" and praised Trump's help. Trump also met with Ukraine's President Zelensky to talk about air defence.
Trump Hails NATO’s New 5% Defence Spending Pledge as “Historic Achievement”
At the recent NATO summit in The Hague, member nations reached a significant accord, agreeing to elevate defence spending to 5% of their respective GDPs by 2035. U.S. President Donald Trump enthusiastically endorsed this commitment, labeling it a “big win for Europe and Western civilisation.”
NATO’s concluding statement emphasized alliance solidarity in confronting major security challenges, specifically highlighting long-term concerns regarding Russia and global terrorism. The communiqué also reaffirmed the “ironclad commitment” to collective defence under Article Five, a principle Trump himself had expressed skepticism about just days prior but publicly supported at the summit. The gathering was deemed “historic” and underscored unwavering support for Ukraine, though it notably refrained from explicitly mentioning Russia’s ongoing invasion in its final declaration.
The new spending framework stipulates 3.5% of GDP allocated to core defence capabilities (troops, weaponry) and 1.5% dedicated to related investments such as cyber security, infrastructure, and logistics. The target deadline is 2035, with a progress review scheduled for 2029.
Despite the overall agreement, certain tensions emerged. Spain expressed reservations due to economic strain, opting to maintain its defence spending closer to 2% of GDP, which sparked friction with President Trump, who cautioned against potential trade repercussions. Slovakia and Belgium also voiced concerns, though they ultimately endorsed the pledge with caveats. French President Emmanuel Macron critically remarked that demanding higher defence outlays while simultaneously provoking trade disputes was "illogical."
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte characterized the alliance as “stronger, fairer, and more lethal,” and openly commended Trump’s influence. Trump also engaged in bilateral discussions with Ukrainian President Zelensky concerning air defence and drones, indicating potential future talks with Russian President Putin to secure broader commitments.
Trump Declares NATO’s Augmented 5% Defence Pledge a “Triumph” Amidst Lingering Disparities
At the recent NATO summit convened in The Hague, alliance leaders unanimously endorsed an ambitious commitment to escalate defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, a development U.S. President Donald Trump lauded as a “big win for Europe and Western civilisation.” This pivotal agreement seeks to bolster the alliance’s deterrence and defensive posture in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
NATO’s final communiqué underscored an unwavering cohesion in confronting multifaceted security threats, explicitly delineating long-term concerns pertaining to Russia’s enduring assertiveness and the pervasive menace of global terrorism. Crucially, the declaration unequivocally reaffirmed the “ironclad commitment” to collective defence under Article Five, a tenet Trump himself had subjected to public scrutiny merely days prior, but subsequently affirmed his allegiance to during the summit’s conclusion. Touted as “historic,” the summit also unequivocally reinforced support for Ukraine, though the declaration notably omitted explicit mention of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The granular breakdown of the new spending targets allocates 3.5% of GDP to core defence expenditures (personnel, armaments) and 1.5% to strategic investments encompassing cyber warfare capabilities, infrastructure enhancements, and logistics. The overarching deadline is set for 2035, with an interim progress review slated for 2029.
Despite the overarching consensus, the summit was not without its contentious points. Spain, citing formidable economic strains, articulated its reluctance to transcend the existing 2% defence spending threshold, thereby eliciting palpable tension with President Trump, who ominously alluded to potential trade repercussions. Slovakia and Belgium similarly voiced reservations, though they ultimately appended their signatures under specific caveats. French President Emmanuel Macron offered a pointed critique, asserting the logical incongruity of demanding augmented defence outlays while simultaneously instigating trade disputes.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte characterized the alliance as having achieved a state of being “stronger, fairer, and more lethal,” conspicuously praising Trump’s decisive influence and even playfully referring to him as “Daddy.” On the sidelines, President Trump engaged in a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, discussions primarily focusing on air defence systems and drone capabilities. Trump also intimated the possibility of forthcoming discussions with Russian President Putin aimed at securing broader geopolitical commitments.
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I. Basic
Win: A successful result in a competition, game, or conflict.
Defence: The action of defending or protecting from attack.
Tension: A state of emotional or mental strain.
II. Intermediate
Accord: An agreement or treaty.
Solidarity: Unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest; mutual support within a group.
Framework: A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text.
III. Advanced
Unanimously: Without opposition; with the agreement of all people involved.
Pivotal: Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.
Cohesion: The action or fact of forming a united whole.
Contentious: Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.