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President Donald Trump is about to take the principle stage on the second day of the NATO Summit in The Hague, Netherlands — providing a surprisingly cordial tone towards the alliance he has lengthy criticized.
The president is scheduled to satisfy with NATO Secretary Normal Mark Rutte and different world leaders earlier than holding a press convention.
Trump additionally stated he’ll “most likely” greet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who’s attending the summit amid his ongoing push for Ukraine to be a part of NATO.
In textual content messages shared by Trump, Rutte congratulated him for “making Europe pay in a giant manner” by way of a brand new 5% protection spending goal — and for brokering an finish to the current battle between Israel and Iran.
TRUMP HEADS TO NATO SUMMIT AS EUROPE AGREES TO HEED HIS DEFENSE SPENDING DEMANDS
Trump departs for the NATO Summit the place world leaders will come to an settlement to spice up their protection spending to five% of GDP. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Photos)
“Congratulations and thanks on your decisive motion on Iran. That was really extraordinary, and one thing nobody else dared to do,” Rutte wrote as Trump flew towards the summit. “It makes us all safer.”
Israel and Iran entered right into a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on Tuesday that just about fell aside — although Israel known as off its counterattack at Trump’s urging.
“You’re flying into one other massive success in The Hague this night,” Rutte added, referencing the brand new settlement for NATO members to extend protection spending to five% of GDP.
NATO allies first agreed in 2006 to spend 2% of GDP on protection — a purpose many failed to satisfy for years. Now, after Trump’s repeated requires Europe to “pull its weight,” the alliance has accredited a extra bold 5% goalwith an exception for Spain, which has lengthy struggled to satisfy even the unique benchmark.
The brand new determine breaks down into 3.5% for core protection spending, and 1.5% for associated infrastructure, together with cyberwarfare and intelligence. NATO ambassadors agreed on the compromise textual content Sunday.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE UPCOMING NATO SUMMIT: TRUMP, SPENDING, UKRAINE, IRAN
NATO Secretary Normal Mark Rutte congratulated Trump on the Iran ceasefire and convincing Europe to extend its protection spending ( Nicolas Tucat/Reuters)
For many allies, the goal marks a major leap. Poland at present leads all member states with 4.1% of GDP going towards protection. The U.S. stands at 3.4%.
Trump stated he doesn’t imagine the U.S. wants to succeed in the complete 5% threshold — a place backed by Rutte.
“The US is already spending nearly 3.5% on core protection, and little doubt they’re near spending the 1.5% on defense-related gadgets,” Rutte stated. “International locations like Estonia and Poland are very shut. For a lot of others, it’ll nonetheless be a protracted street forward, nevertheless it’s actually necessary that we do that.”
Trump additionally stated he’ll “most likely” greet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who’s attending the summit amid his ongoing push for Ukraine to hitch NATO. (Christian Hartmann/Reuters)
He additionally known as on protection industries “on either side of the Atlantic” to ramp up manufacturing.
“It’s merely unthinkable that Russia, with an financial system 25 instances smaller than NATO’s, ought to be capable to outproduce and outgun us,” Rutte stated Tuesday. He urged Europe: “Make your defenses so robust that nobody dares to assault you.”
Regardless of the progress, Trump solid contemporary doubt on whether or not the U.S. would abide by NATO’s cornerstone mutual protection clause — Article 5 — which obligates members to defend each other within the occasion of an assault.
“It is dependent upon your definition,” Trump stated when requested if he would honor the dedication. “There’s quite a few definitions of Article 5, you understand that, proper? However I am dedicated to being their associates. I’ve grow to be associates with a lot of these leaders, and I am dedicated to serving to them.”
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Nonetheless, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker sought to reassure allies, telling reporters, “The US isn’t going wherever.”
Rutte echoed that message, telling companions to “cease worrying a lot” and give attention to strengthening their very own defenses.
