Asger Risom
As NATO leaders gather today in The Hague, all eyes are on Donald Trump. Here’s what to expect as tensions rise over defense spending, Ukraine, and the Alliance’s future.
The 2025 NATO summit opens today in The Hague, bringing together 32 nations for high-stakes talks at a time of war in Ukraine and uncertainty within the Alliance.
But despite the packed agenda, one figure dominates the conversation: U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump Takes Center Stage Again
Trump, a long-time skeptic of NATO, has returned to the summit with renewed demands.
As reported by the BBC, Secretary General Mark Rutte has tailored this year’s gathering to avoid open clashes with the U.S. president.
The summit has been shortened, discussions limited, and the final communiqué cut to just five paragraphs.
At the heart of Trump’s focus is defense spending. He insists allies meet a new 5% of GDP target—a sharp increase from the current 2% goal.
While some eastern members like Poland and Estonia support this shift, many in Western Europe see it as unrealistic.
The U.K. has only committed to hitting 3% “sometime next parliament,” while Spain’s prime minister has dismissed the demand outright.
A Fractured Alliance Beneath the Surface
The summit may showcase unity, but deep divisions remain. Ukraine, once central to NATO’s agenda, has been relegated to the sidelines.
President Volodymyr Zelensky is invited to dinner but excluded from the main sessions. A planned discussion on NATO’s Russia strategy has been dropped entirely, largely to avoid provoking Trump.
Still, behind the diplomacy lies urgency. Rutte has warned that Russia could attack a NATO member within five years.
The Alliance is reportedly short thousands of tanks, missile systems, and artillery rounds.
And with U.S. support for Ukraine no longer guaranteed, many European members are bracing for greater responsibility.
Whether this summit brings meaningful commitments or simply papers over the cracks remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Trump’s presence will define it.