The message from NATO’s summit in The Hague is clear: the gloves are off. Leaders from all 32 member states just agreed to a sweeping overhaul of their defense budgets, targeting an ambitious 5% of GDP by 2035.
This wasn’t just about money, though. The alliance also stood shoulder-to-shoulder on its support for Ukraine and underscored its ironclad commitment to collective defense under Article 5.
The deal will be called the Hague Defense Commitment.
President Donald Trump, who once questioned NATO’s relevance, took credit for the agreement. “They said, ‘You did it, sir,’” he told reporters. “Well, I don’t know if I did it, but I think I did.”
Spending target moves from 2% to 5%
The new 5% target represents a major increase from NATO’s longstanding 2% goal. Of that total, at least 3.5% is to be dedicated to core military capabilities.
Alliance leaders described the decision as a response to global instability and growing security concerns.
“This is a significant commitment in response to significant threats,” one official said, reading from the joint declaration.
Trump called the agreement a “great victory for everybody,” pointing to what he sees as more fair burden-sharing between member countries.
Trump’s stance on NATO softens
While Trump has frequently criticized NATO in the past and suggested the U.S. might pull back, his tone at this summit was far more cooperative.
“They’ve had a big fight like two kids in a schoolyard,” he said, describing past divisions. “Let them fight a couple minutes. Then daddy has to step in with strong language.”
He also reaffirmed his support for Article 5, the core principle that an attack on one NATO country is an attack on all.
“Of course I stand with it,” he shot back. “Where else would I be? Believe me, if I had any doubts, you wouldn’t see me here.”
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NATO focuses on Russia and Ukraine
The final declaration from the summit labeled Russia a long-term threat to both European and transatlantic security. It also restated NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
For the first time, defense aid to Ukraine and investments in its defense industry will count toward NATO’s spending goals. Officials framed this as a recognition of Ukraine’s role in broader regional stability.
“You can count on us now and in the future,” one leader said during closing remarks.
What happens next?
The 5% commitment won’t take effect immediately. Countries have until 2035 to meet the new target. But the shift signals a clear intent to strengthen NATO’s military readiness in the face of new challenges.
Whether all member states follow through remains uncertain. Some already struggle to meet the existing 2% threshold. But the public pledge adds pressure to increase defense budgets across the alliance.
For now, Trump is claiming success.
And NATO, for the moment, appears more united.
