Ducking off against Russia: No more free -back travel: NATO begins the summit with Trump

According to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, this year’s NATO summit in the Haag will mark the end of “free-ride” at the most powerful alliance partner USA. The Americans would have accepted this for many decades – “not now,” said Merz in Berlin. “We Europeans have to make ourselves stronger. We have to get stronger.”

With a view to Germany and the other Allies, US President Donald Trump can already feel like the winner of the summit – before he even started. At the United States, the alliance partners agreed to drastically increase expenses for the military and infrastructure.

Nevertheless, the allies are unsure whether the United States – despite the agreement – feel unconditionally committed to the alliance. Trump’s approach to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and the neglect of European voices in the war between Israel and Iran nourish. Despite the ongoing negotiation efforts by the Europeans, the United States had attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities.

At the two -day meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, Allianz hopes for a clear sign of Trump’s unity.

Rutte sees “truly historical moment”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said at a press conference that you meet at a truly historical moment when the security of the Allies faces significant challenges. A massive increase in defense expenditure to five percent of the economic output is indispensable in order to continue to guarantee security in the 32 NATO countries.

At least five percent of gross domestic product

As the German Press Agency found out after a written decision, the Allies want to clarify at the summit to increase their annual defense-relevant expenses to at least five percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

An amount of at least 3.5 percent of GDP is to be paid to classic military spending. In addition, for example, militarily usable infrastructure worth 1.5 percent of GDP could be counted. The year 2035 is said to be the deadline for the fulfillment of the new goal, as shown in the design of diplomats from the draft for the final declaration. This is to be formally accepted on Wednesday.

At the moment, the NATO target for defense spending only provides annual national expenditure of at least two percent of GDP. The reasons for the agreed increase are in particular the threats of Russia, but also the demand from Trump that Europeans should in future take the main responsibility on their continent.

Klingbeil wants to meet 2029 new NATO goal

Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) is planning for 2029 with defense spending of 3.5 percent of gross domestic product. According to information from the German Press Agency, expenditure should gradually increase and reach a NATO rate of 2.4 percent this year.

For the Bundeswehr, population protection, intelligence services and help for states that are contrary to international law such as Ukraine, 75 billion euros are planned this year, as can be seen from the plans available to the German Press Agency. . By 2029, expenditure in these areas is to grow to almost 170 billion euros.

Sobering for Ukraine

The text for the final declaration for Ukraine should be sobering. According to diplomats, she is only vaguely supported there. Last year, NATO of Ukraine at the summit in Washington had guaranteed to provide security support of 40 billion euros. At that time it was also stated that her path was irreversible to membership. Because of the resistance in particular in the United States, such formulations could no longer be repeated, according to the diplomats.

Trump still hopes to end the Russian attack war against Ukraine by concessions to Putin.

NATO goals are challenging for many Allies

For many of the 32 NATO countries, the new goal is a huge challenge. In the past year, Germany only came up with a quota of around 2.1 percent, and according to Merz, every percentage point would currently mean more than 45 billion euros more for defense spending.

According to diplomats, critical countries such as Spain could ultimately be brought on board because a review of the new target was promised for 2029. Then new planning goals for deterrent and defense should be agreed.

NATO Secretary General Rutte also assured Spain’s left-wing head of government Pedro Sánchez in writing that his country does not have to achieve the new percentage goal if the military skills he demanded can also provide it with less money. In Brussels, however, this is considered not very realistic.

The Hague becomes a fortress: Operation “Orange Shield”

The summit is also logistically a major challenge for the host city of Haag, after all, around 40 heads of state and government are expected in the Dutch coastal city. According to the government, it is the greatest security operation in the history of the Netherlands. The potential for threat is highly assessed in view of the tensions in the Middle East. With the “Orange Shield” operation, the armed forces laid a kind of protective armor around the city. Around 27,000 police officers are on duty. There are also more than 10,000 soldiers.