By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 1345 EAT on Wednesday 25 June 2025

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed optimism on Wednesday that member states will agree to a significant increase in defence spending, while reaffirming that the United States remains “totally committed” to the alliance.

Speaking on the second day of NATO’s annual summit, held this year in The Hague, Rutte acknowledged the growing pressure from Washington particularly the Trump administration for allies to adopt a new target of 5 percent of GDP for defence expenditure.

The summit comes amid ongoing concerns over President Donald Trump’s long-term commitment to NATO, with some European leaders wary of future U.S. reliability in the event of a security crisis. Still, Rutte insisted that transatlantic unity remains intact as alliance leaders from all 32 member nations gather to debate the future of collective defence.

Speaking ahead of a leaders’ meeting on the second and final day of the annual summit, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that there is no doubt about the United States’ commitment to the alliance or its core principle of mutual defence.

“There is absolute clarity that the United States is totally committed to NATO, totally committed to Article 5,” Rutte said, referencing the cornerstone clause of NATO’s founding treaty, which affirms that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

He also underscored expectations for increased defence spending among allies: “And yes, there is also an expectation which will be fulfilled today that the Canadians and Europeans will accelerate their spending, making sure that we are able to defend ourselves against the Russians and others.”

Rutte added that he expected the summit to be “transformational” for the alliance’s future.

President Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO, arguing that the United States shoulders a disproportionate share of the alliance’s military burden. He has also questioned whether the alliance should defend members who fail to meet agreed defence spending targets.

The Trump administration has called on NATO allies to raise their defence spending to 5 percent of GDP, more than double the current target of 2 percent. The proposal marks a dramatic escalation in Washington’s long-standing push for greater burden-sharing within the alliance.

According to NATO’s own estimates, nine member states still fall short of the existing 2 percent target, despite repeated pledges to meet it.

Doubts over President Trump’s commitment to NATO deepened further on Tuesday, when, en route to The Hague, he declined to clearly affirm whether the United States would uphold NATO’s mutual defence guarantees, raising concerns among allies just hours before the summit’s second day.

When asked directly whether the United States would honour NATO’s mutual defence guarantees under Article 5, President Trump offered a characteristically ambiguous response.

“Depends on your definition,” he told reporters. “There are numerous definitions of Article 5. You know that, right? But I’m committed to being their friends.”

The remark added to existing uncertainty about Washington’s stance. However, in a separate appearance just before the summit opened, Trump appeared to offer reassurance to allies, stating: “We’re with them all the way.”

In response to U.S. pressure to boost defence spending, key NATO members such as Germany and the United Kingdom have announced significant new military investments, citing the growing threat posed by Russia.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that Germany would raise defence spending with the goal of becoming “Europe’s strongest conventional army.” The UK, which has already committed to the proposed spending levels, announced plans to acquire a new fleet of fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear missiles.

However, not all allies are on board with Washington’s demand that member states spend 5 percent of their GDP on defence by 2035 more than double the current NATO target.

Spain, which according to NATO estimates had the lowest defence spending among allies last year, has called the new target “unreasonable” and stated it will not be able to meet it by 2035.

Belgium has also indicated it will fall short of the proposed goal, while Slovakia asserted its right to set its own defence expenditure, according to reporting by the Associated Press.

The divide highlights growing tensions within the alliance as it faces the dual challenge of maintaining transatlantic unity and responding to Russia’s continued aggression in Eastern Europe.

On Tuesday, President Trump directly criticized Spain’s position, singling it out among NATO members resisting the proposed defence spending hike.

“There’s a problem with Spain. Spain is not agreeing, which is very unfair to the rest of them, frankly,” Trump said, underscoring his frustration with allies that have rejected the 5 percent GDP target.

His comments come as Spain continues to push back against the U.S.-led proposal, calling the target “unreasonable” and stating it cannot meet the requirement by the 2035 deadline.

Invest or Donate towards HICGI New Agency Global Media Establishment – Watch video here

Email: editorial@hicginewsagency.com TalkBusiness@hicginewsagency.com WhatsApp +256713137566

Follow us on all social media, type “HICGI News Agency” .