US President Donald Trump introduced a degree of uncertainty regarding the United States' adherence to the mutual defence commitments specified in the NATO treaty as he made his way to the summit — comments that could revive long-standing concern from European allies about his commitment to the military alliance.
“Depends on your definition,” Trump told reporters as he was headed to The Hague, where this year's summit is being held. “There’s numerous definitions of Article 5. You know that, right? But I’m committed to being their friends.”
Asked later aboard Air Force One to clarify, Trump said he is “committed to saving lives” and “committed to life and safety” but did not expand further.
Trump and other NATO leaders arrived at the Royal Palace in the Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday evening for a royal dinner.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Queen Maxima and Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia are hosting a dinner for the alliance leaders, who are in town for the two-day summit.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among the guests arriving.
Trump was expected to stay at a luxurious hotel during his visit but a Dutch government information service spokeswoman says the US president will be sleeping at the 17th-century palace that is home to Willem-Alexander, his Argentine-born wife Queen Maxima and their three daughters.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands gave a speech to the NATO alliance leaders during a dinner at the royal palace in the Hague on Tuesday. The Dutch monarch also extended a special welcome for Trump specifically.
“Mr. President (Trump), it means so much to us to welcome you in our home tonight. We cherish the bonds of friendship that will always unite our nations." said King Willem-Alexander.
The Dutch King said that NATO will welcome more nations to the alliance in the future. He also commended the alliance for committing to spending more money on defence.
“It's rightly argued that we need to make sufficient investments in our security and that there must be a balance in the financial contributions made by the members of the Alliance. There can be no solidarity unless everyone shoulders their own responsibility," said the Dutch King.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also commended Trump for pushing for an increase in the alliance’s defence spending.
"Today, I am pleased to announce that NATO has already added an additional $1 trillion (€861 billion) in defence spending over the past decade, Rutte said on Tuesday. "Mr President, dear Donald, that is thanks to you pushing us."
Some residents of the Dutch city, home to this year’s NATO leaders’ summit, expressed their dissatisfaction with Trump.
Posters were hung from balconies reading “save the world, impeach Trump”, and “peace”.
Meanwhile, a separate pro-NATO protest took place. A few dozen young protesters from Lithuania, Ukraine, the Netherlands and other countries gathered in The Hague where they called for increased defence spending and support for Ukraine.
The youth-led demonstration was joined by defence ministers of Lithuania and the Netherlands, both of whom indicated that NATO leaders are expected to commit to higher defence expenditure in the coming years.
The current NATO defence targets are 2% of GDP, but are expected to jump to 5% after months of pressure from Trump and threats to pull the US from the defence alliance.
Trump has also suggested that any member nation that fails to meet his proposed 5% targets will not benefit from US protection under Article 5 of NATO’s charter.
