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President Donald Trump is ready to take the primary 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 Common Mark Rutte and different world leaders earlier than holding a press convention.
Trump additionally mentioned he’ll “most likely” greet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who’s attending the summit amid his ongoing push for Ukraine to be part of NATO.
In textual content messages shared by Trump, Rutte congratulated him for “making Europe pay in a giant means” by 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 Pictures)
“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 nearly fell aside — although Israel referred to as off its counterattack at Trump’s urging.
“You’re flying into one other large 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 aim many failed to satisfy for years. Now, after Trump’s repeated requires Europe to “pull its weight,” the alliance has accepted a extra bold 5% goal, with 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 Common 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 big leap. Poland presently leads all member states with 4.1% of GDP going towards protection. The U.S. stands at 3.4%.
Trump mentioned he doesn’t consider the U.S. wants to succeed in the total 5% threshold — a place backed by Rutte.
“The US is already spending virtually 3.5% on core protection, and little question they’re near spending the 1.5% on defense-related gadgets,” Rutte mentioned. “International locations like Estonia and Poland are very shut. For a lot of others, it’ll nonetheless be an extended highway forward, nevertheless it’s actually vital that we do that.”
Trump additionally mentioned he’ll “most likely” greet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who’s attending the summit amid his ongoing push for Ukraine to affix NATO. (Christian Hartmann/Reuters)
He additionally referred to as on protection industries “on each side of the Atlantic” to ramp up manufacturing.
“It’s merely unthinkable that Russia, with an financial system 25 occasions smaller than NATO’s, ought to have the ability to outproduce and outgun us,” Rutte mentioned Tuesday. He urged Europe: “Make your defenses so sturdy that nobody dares to assault you.”
Regardless of the progress, Trump forged recent 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 mentioned when requested if he would honor the dedication. “There’s quite a few definitions of Article 5, you recognize that, proper? However I am dedicated to being their pals. I’ve grow to be pals 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 anyplace.”
Rutte echoed that message, telling companions to “cease worrying a lot” and deal with strengthening their very own defenses.
