Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
There’s a lot of things to discuss, and there’s also the possibility for some drama backstage.
There’s a lot of things to discuss, and there’s also the possibility for some drama backstage.
What is happening?
Today, Tuesday June 24 2025, the annual NATO summit kicks off in The Hague, Netherlands.
And there’s a lot for the 32 member states to discuss.
Threats, conflicts and personal drama
The world has rarely been such a mess with conflicts all over the place, an increasing threat to the established world order, as well as disagreements between the political leaders of several member states
There’s especially five storylines, you have to look for, so let’s get to it.
#1: The 5 % goal
Since Donald Trump retook The White House, he has pushed for the rest of the NATO members to increase their spendings on defense – and it looks like, it’s coming.
Agreed, but needs confirmation
During the weekend, the NATO states agreed on icreasing the current target of 2 % of GDP in military spendings to 5 %, but Spain threw in a last minute roadblock before agreeing with the rest of the nations.
So nothing is given, and there might still need to be disccusions regarding the new spending target.
#2: The threat from Russia
The war in Ukraine is still raging, now in it’s fourth year.
Russia has been increasingly vocal about considering NATO countries supplying Ukraine with military aid as active participants of the war.
Add to that intelligence suggesting that Russia will be able to launch an attack on a NATO member state in a number of years.
How will NATO respond?
The 5 % agreement is part of the NATO strategy of getting ready for a possible military conflict with Russia, hoping it will deter any attack in the first place.
But what about hybrid warfare? How will NATO react if a member state’s energy infrastructure is sabotaged or a Russian cyber attack is excecuted?
It’s unlikely that these issues will be discussed during the summit, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
#3: Support for Ukraine
Ukraine is under pressure in the war, as Russia is suspected of preparing a Summer Offensive, likely targeting the North of Ukraine.
Lack of man power, not enough material and doubts about continued American support are just some of the issues, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy is facing.
Zelenskyy will be there
Even though Ukraine is not a NATO member, Zelenskyy is invited to the summit and is likely to give a speech as well.
But what is really worth looking for is who Zelenskyy is meeting with behind the curtains, as the planned talk between him and Donald Trump didn’t happen during the G7 Summit earlier this month.
#4: Israel-Iran
Israel and Iran have agreed on a ceasefire going into effect Tuesday morning – but that doesn’t mean the situation is solved.
Israel says that hte threat from Iran is now neutralized, but that can change quickly.
Will NATO talk with one voice?
Notably, NATO as an organization hasn’t made a collective statement regarindg the situation in the Middle East. Instead, individual member states have been vocal about the conflict.
Will NATO be able to agree on voicing their concern, or willl they stay silent?
#5: The question of Greenland
Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to “take over” Greenland, which is part of the Danish Kingdom.
Danish PM, Mette Frederiksen, is attending the summit, as well as Donald Trump.
First meeting face to face?
The two heads of states have spoken with each other on the phone, but they have never met face to face.
This might change during the summit, and the question is, how both Frederiksen and Trump will handle their disagreements.