US president likely to be in self-congratulatory mood, with most allies persuaded to sign up to defence spending target

THE HAGUE: US President Donald Trump and his NATO counterparts are due to gather Tuesday for a summit that could unite the world’s biggest security organization around a new…

Europe braces for Trump's arrival at the Nato summit with difficult questions over Iran and defence, following the 5% defence spending target he's demanded of allies

NATO leaders gather Tuesday in The Hague for what could be a historic summit, or one marred by divisions.

US president’s flying 24-hour visit to Netherlands was originally scheduled to be twice as long

US president likely to be in self-congratulatory mood, with most allies persuaded to sign up to defence spending target

Mark Rutte, known as the ‘Trump whisperer’, said the president was heading for another ‘victory’ in Wednesday’s Nato summit

President Trump is expected to talk about spending commitments from the alliance’s members, while NATO’s secretary general has been eager to avoid diplomatic blowups.

The “Dear Donald” note praised Trump for “decisive action” in Iran and pushing NATO nations to spend more on defense.

Alliance leader is keen to ensure US president’s commitment and secure agreement among members on defence spending

NATO Chief Mark Rutte also said Europe would increase defence spending in a ‘BIG way’ thanks to US pressure.

It's been a rollercoaster ride for Trump but it ends in Europe with high praise for US action in Iran ringing in his ears.

The US president refused to commit to the alliance’s mutual defence vow, as Washington warns it may shift focus to the threat from China.

THE HAGUE: US President Donald Trump swept into NATO’s Hague summit Tuesday, with allies hoping a pledge to ramp up defense spending will keep the mercurial leader of the military…

Leaders due to formalise agreement to set defence spending at 5% but comments from US president over collective defence cause stir

‘Nato’s going to become very strong with us,’ says US president, as secretary general calls him ‘daddy’

The military alliance on Wednesday released a joint statement boasting of higher spending that barely mentions Russia or Ukraine in deference to Trump's pro-Putin bias.

President Trump has long pushed the European allies to be more self-sufficient on defense, relying less on American protection. NATO committed to a major increase over the next…

Trump celebrated commitment by Nato allies to boost defence spending to 5% of GDP. Key US politics stories from Wednesday 25 June 2025

Donald Trump yesterday said he no longer believed Nato is a 'rip-off' and that 'of course' he would help defend Europe if it came under attack.

The relationship with him is still volatile, the Ukraine strategy still unclear and Europe needs to ensure its collective defence, says Guardian columnist Martin Kettle