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The decision adopted at the NATO summit in The Hague — with the support of U.S. President Donald Trump — reaffirms Russia’s status as a shared threat to the entire Alliance.
The summit declaration, a brief five-point document, names the Russian threat as the primary reason behind rising defense spending among NATO member states.
“United in the face of serious security threats and challenges — including the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security, as well as the ongoing threat of terrorism — the Allies commit to spending 5% of GDP on defense by 2035,” the document states.
Russia is the only country explicitly mentioned as a threat in the declaration; there is no reference to China, despite Washington’s strong focus on it. It’s important to note that the decision was made by consensus, meaning all member states — including the United States — supported it.
On this issue, the Hague Declaration echoes the conclusions of last year’s NATO summit in Washington, held under President Biden, which also identified Russia and terrorism as the two direct threats to the Alliance. That declaration stated that “Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to the security of Allied nations.”
NATO member countries, including the United States and Hungary, have agreed that aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia will count as part of their contribution to Euro-Atlantic security.
A key point at the summit was the agreement to increase defense spending among allies to 5% of GDP.
At the same time, NATO members agreed that support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be recognized as part of their defense expenditures.
“Allies reaffirm their sovereign commitments to support Ukraine—whose security contributes to our own—and will include their direct defense donations to Ukraine and investments in its defense industry in their own defense spending calculations,” the document states.
It is important to note that this decision was adopted by consensus, with backing from all member states, including the U.S. and Hungary.
Read also: “We’re with them to the end”: Trump Reaffirms Article 5 Commitment at NATO Summit
