Trump meets NATO leaders after Rutte praises his ‘action on Iran’

President Donald Trump should take the main scene of the second day of the NATO summit in Hague, in the Netherlands – offering a surprisingly cordial tone towards the alliance which he has been criticized for a long time.

The president is expected to meet NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte and other world leaders before holding a press conference.

Trump also said that he would “probably” greet the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attends the top in the middle of his current pressure for Ukraine in join NATO.

In the text messages shared by Trump, Rutte congratulated him for “making Europe pay significantly” through a new objective of defense spending of 5% – and to end the recent conflict between Israel and Iran.

Trump goes to the top of NATO when Europe agrees to take into account his requests for defense expenses

“Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action for Iran. It was really extraordinary, and something else dared to do,” wrote Rutte when Trump flew to the top. “It makes us all safer.”

Israel and Iran entered a commercial ceasefire on Tuesday that almost disintegrated-although Israel canceled his counterattack at Trump’s request.

“You fly in another great success in The Hague this evening,” added Rutte, referring to the new agreement for NATO members to increase defense expenses to 5% of GDP.

NATO allies agreed for the first time in 2006 to spend 2% of the GDP for defense – a goal that many have failed to achieve for years. Now, after Trump’s repeated calls to Europe to “get its weight”, the alliance has approved a plus Ambitious target of 5%With one exception for Spain, which has long had trouble meeting even the original reference index.

The new figure is broken down into 3.5% for basic defense expenses and 1.5% for related infrastructure, including cyberwarfare and intelligence. NATO ambassadors agreed to compromise text on Sunday.

To what to expect in the next NATO summit: Trump, expenses, Ukraine, Iran

For most allies, the target marks a significant jump. Poland currently directs all Member States with 4.1% of GDP to Defense. The United States is 3.4%.

Trump said he did not think that the United States had to reach the 5% full threshold – a position supported by Rutte.

“The United States is already spending almost 3.5% on the basic defense, and it is undoubtedly about to spend 1.5% for articles related to the defense,” said Rutte. “Countries like Estonia and Poland are very close. For many others, it will always be a long way to go, but it is really important that we do it.”

He also called the defense industries “on both sides of the Atlantic” to accelerate production.

“It is simply unthinkable that Russia, with an economy 25 times smaller than that of NATO, is able to overproduce and outdo us,” said Rutte on Tuesday. He urged Europe: “Make your defenses so strong that no one dares to attack you.”

Despite the progress, Trump has thrown a new doubt about the question of whether the United States would respect the Cornerstone Mutual Defense Clause of NATO – Article 5 – which forces members to defend each other in the event of an attack.

“It depends on your definition,” said Trump when he asked him if he would honor commitment. “There are many definitions of article 5, you know, right? But I am determined to be their friends. I became a friend with many of these leaders, and I undertook to help them.”

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However, the American ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker sought to reassure the allies, saying to journalists: “The United States is not going now.”

Rutte echoes this message, telling the partners to “stop worrying so much” and focus on the strengthening of their own defenses.