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.

The alliance’s summit will minimize references to either Russia or Ukraine to avoid antagonizing the U.S. president who has sided with the aggressor.

The group has truncated its summit to focus on a 5% per-country spending target, something Trump supports, to avoid upsetting him.

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

An internal rift over defense spending and President Trump’s disregard for Ukraine have lowered expectations for the gathering.

The “why” is Russia. But at a summit focused on keeping President Trump happy, discussion of that is expected to be muted.

Tensions between Washington, Canadian and European allies' defense spending have overshadowed NATO for a number of years.

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.

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…

The spending target the military alliance just agreed on is unlikely to be met by all countries, but experts say some members are moving to bolster their defenses in case of a…

Donald Trump is “totally committed” to Nato’s Article 5 clause, the military alliance’s secretary general has insisted, despite the US president saying the mutual defence pact was…

‘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.

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed his commitment Wednesday NATO's core mutual defense pact at under which an attack on any member is an attack on all, after earlier sparking…

By playing to the president’s ego, the alliance has strengthened its bonds with its biggest financial backer – but at a cost

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…

THE HAGUE: President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the NATO summit Wednesday and suggested that increased spending by the…

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