Following a short session in The Hague, Donald Trump and his NATO partners issued a statement reaffirming their “ironclad commitment” to collective defense.
However, there was no denunciation of Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, which had been included in earlier remarks made by allies during Joe Biden’s tenure in the White House. Compared to many of his allies, his successor has a closer connection with Vladimir Putin.
Russia was referred to as a “long-term threat” in the text.
Additionally, Ukraine’s participation in NATO—which had previously been referred to as a “irreversible path”—was not mentioned.
Additionally, the allies decided to increase their collective defense budget.
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The US commander-in-chief, the most powerful leader present, indicated on his approach to the meeting that his interpretation of what Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty meant may be different from that of other members, which led to the adoption of the clause.
Although the joint statement, which was agreed by the leaders of all 32 member nations, clearly outlined what Article 5 is, the US president’s remarks ran the risk of weakening the credibility of a commitment that has helped maintain NATO’s security for more than 75 years.
