'Meet at dangerous moment for billion citizens': Rutte opens NATO Summit

"A dangerous moment"

As Rutte noted, the full-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine continues, and "an assertive grouping of adversaries" seeks to divide the Alliance and challenge it.

"There’s war in the Middle East. Terrorism poses a persistent threat, and new technologies bring opportunities, but also many serious security challenges.

In the face of this, we stand together, united in NATO...," he stated and added that the cooperation of North America and Europe is a "winning combination."

Increase in defense spending

Rutte also welcomed the goal of allocating 5% of GDP to defense and plans to enhance defense capabilities.

He added that the member states of the Alliance will agree on a further increase in defense production so that NATO Armed Forces are provided with everything necessary. In particular, this will mean the expansion of the defense industrial base on both sides of the Atlantic.

"Our decisions include continuing our support to Ukraine while also pushing for a just and lasting peace. We all want the bloodshed to stop. We call on Russia to end its aggression against Ukraine," stated the NATO Secretary General.

In an address to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, Rutte stated that the leadership of the White House on this issue has brought $ 1 trillion in additional spending from European allies since 2016.

"The decisions today will produce trillions more for our common defence to make a stronger and fairer equalising spending between America and America’s allies," he noted.

NATO summit in The Hague

Today, the NATO summit is taking place in The Hague. In particular, a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council is scheduled.

In addition, a personal meeting between Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is expected.

Meanwhile, media reports that the Alliance communiqué will not contain a promise to admit Ukraine to NATO.