NATO Summit Outcomes – The Hague, June 2025

By: Abdulrahman Anwar

Research Assistant at the International Affairs Unit

Leaders of NATO member states convened at the Hague Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 24–25, 2025, during a time of various global tensions and conflicts, most notably the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, which is regarded as the primary threat to NATO countries. The summit’s outcomes were deemed historic and unprecedented. The final communiqué issued on Wednesday announced a new standard for defense investment, increased defense industrial production, and continued support for Ukraine. The member states agreed on The Hague Defence Investment Plan to increase defense spending from 2% to 5% of each member state’s gross national income. This step aims to address the long-standing fractures within NATO, especially former President Donald Trump’s harsh criticisms of the alliance, claiming it burdens the United States, which has been defending Europe for decades. Trump repeatedly threatened to withdraw unless other members shared the costs and increased their defense spending.

Final Statement of the NATO Summit: –

1- The leaders reaffirmed their firm commitment to collective defense in case any member state is attacked, in accordance with Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which declares an attack on one is an attack on all. They stressed the unity and resolve of member states to protect their freedoms, democracies, and over one billion citizens.

2- Member states pledged to stand united in facing security challenges and threats, particularly the danger that Russia poses to European security. They committed to investing 5% of their GDP annually in core defense needs and related security expenditures by 2035 to uphold their individual and collective commitments. They also reaffirmed NATO’s core tasks: deterrence and defense, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security.

3- The 5% investment agreement includes two categories: 3.5% for defense expenditures by 2035, and 1.5% of GDP annually to protect vital infrastructure and strengthen NATO’s defense industrial base. The plan will be reviewed in 2029 in light of the strategic environment. NATO also reiterated its commitment to supporting Ukraine, whose security contributes to that of NATO members. This includes direct contributions to Ukraine’s defense and defense industry.

4- Member states expressed a joint commitment to expanding defense industrial cooperation, harnessing emerging technologies and innovation to enhance collective security. They also pledged to eliminate trade barriers in the defense sector.

5- The communiqué concluded with gratitude to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The next NATO summit will be held in Turkey in 2026.[1]

Key Analytical Points from the Summit and Trump’s Press Conference Remarks: –

1. Fulfilling American Demands:

The summit’s outcomes clearly reflect U.S. pressure led by Trump in recent months, even before returning to office. Trump’s past sharp criticisms of NATO and its leaders sparked speculation about a potential U.S. withdrawal. European leaders’ attempts to develop independent defense capabilities have largely failed. After years of rejection and procrastination, NATO members finally accepted U.S. demands by raising their defense spending to 5% of their national income. This signals Europe’s current inability to achieve defense independence from the U.S.

Despite Spain’s refusal to increase its defense spending—remaining at 2%—Trump called Spain’s position “terrible,” noting it was the only member to reject the increase. He warned of possible trade repercussions but stated he would continue negotiating with Spain to meet the target.

2. America Returns to NATO’s Embrace:

This appears to be a U.S. return to NATO after months of concern following Trump’s comeback. Trump succeeded in pressuring allies to double defense contributions to 5% of GDP. According to Trump’s statements, since 2017, the U.S. has accounted for two-thirds of NATO’s defense spending. He called this moment historic for the alliance.

Trump announced that an additional one trillion dollars would be added annually to joint defense. He has long used the threat of withdrawal to push allies toward higher defense spending and now considers this a correction in NATO’s trajectory.

With members agreeing to the new defense budget, Trump softened his tone toward NATO allies, praised NATO leaders, and reaffirmed NATO’s dependence on the U.S. The Hague summit restored NATO’s traditional role: unified response to shared security challenges.

3. A Profitable American Trade Deal:

The increased NATO defense budget represents a lucrative deal for the U.S. According to Trump, the funds will be spent on military equipment—not administrative costs—and that equipment will be made in and bought from the U.S., thanks to its advanced defense industrial base. Trump cited the U.S. base in Qatar intercepting 14/14 Iranian missiles and American submarines destroying Iranian nuclear facilities. He showcased U.S. military capabilities—including aircraft, submarines, and Patriot missile systems—and praised U.S. personnel as the world’s best pilots and aerial snipers. This served as a promotion for U.S. defense products, in keeping with Trump’s business mindset.Trump also reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program had been destroyed and expressed willingness to assist Iran if it abandoned nuclear weapons ambitions. He mentioned plans to buy 15 icebreakers from Finland as part of a U.S. strategy to counter Russian dominance in the Arctic, in line with NATO’s Arctic strategy.

4. Ukrainian Support and a Desire to End the War:

While NATO’s final statement reaffirmed support for Ukraine and labeled Russia as a core threat, Trump emphasized ending the war through negotiation and peace. He reiterated that the war wouldn’t have occurred under his presidency and claimed that President Putin wants peace due to the war’s toll on Russia. Trump said Putin offered to mediate the Iran-Israel conflict, but Trump declined and asked him to focus on ending the war in Ukraine. Trump also listed his foreign policy achievements: ending the India-Pakistan war, the Congo-Rwanda conflict, and the Serbia-Kosovo dispute. He now aims to resolve the most critical conflict—Russia and Ukraine.

Conclusion:

This summit may mark a pivotal turning point for NATO amid internal disagreements and external threats, especially the Russia-Ukraine war. The summit helped restore ties between NATO and Washington. A notable rapprochement between Turkish President Erdoğan and French President Macron occurred, reflecting a positive shift in intra-alliance relations. This unity sends a strong message to Moscow, as NATO returns under U.S. leadership after prolonged discord. Moscow may now pursue peace more seriously to avoid direct conflict with NATO. The U.S. also seems poised to reassume leadership over its European allies—whom Trump had previously criticized over trade and NATO policies.

References

[1] The Hague Summit Declaration, 25 Jun. 2025

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_236705.htm