President Donald Trump is set to address NATO leaders in The Hague, signaling a sharp turn in tone toward an alliance he once criticized, NaijNaira can report.
According to Fox News, Trump is expected to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, along with other world leaders, during the second day of the summit.
In a private message Trump shared, Rutte thanked him for “making Europe pay in a big way” by pushing a new 5% defense spending target across the alliance.
Trump hinted at a potential meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is attending the summit amid Kyiv’s continued NATO membership push.
“Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action on Iran,” Rutte messaged Trump during his flight to the summit. “It makes us all safer.”
Israel and Iran agreed to a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire Tuesday. Israeli retaliation was called off after personal intervention from Trump, according to officials.
NATO members have now committed to spending 5% of GDP on defense, replacing the long-stagnant 2% benchmark set in 2006. Spain was granted an exemption.
Poland currently leads all allies at 4.1%, while the U.S. stands at 3.4%. Trump said Washington doesn’t need to hit 5%, a stance Rutte supported.
“It’s really important we do this,” said Rutte. “Make your defenses so strong that no one dares to attack you.”
Trump, however, remained vague on the U.S. commitment to NATO’s Article 5, saying, “It depends on your definition.”
U.S. Ambassador Matthew Whitaker reassured allies, stating, “The United States isn’t going anywhere.”
Article updated 4 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
