NATO leaders ready to back Trump's defense spending goal at The Hague summit today

(Patria) - NATO leaders are gathering today in The Hague for a summit specifically tailored to US President Donald Trump, and European allies hope that the promise of increased defense spending will encourage him to dispel doubts about his commitment to the alliance, Reuters reported.

The summit is expected to endorse a higher defense spending goal of five percent of GDP – a response to Trump's demands and European fears that Russia poses an increasingly direct threat to their security following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

NATO officials hope that the conflict between Israel and Iran, and the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, will not overshadow the meeting, hosted by alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte in his hometown.

Trump has threatened not to protect NATO members if they do not meet spending targets, and on his way to the summit, he again expressed doubts about his commitment, avoiding direct support for the alliance's mutual defense clause in Article 5.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, he said there were "many definitions" of the clause.

"I am committed to saving lives. I am committed to life and security. And I will give you the exact definition when I get there," he said.

The new goal, to be achieved over the next ten years, represents a significant increase from the current target of two percent of GDP, although it will be measured differently. It would amount to hundreds of billions of dollars in additional annual spending. Countries would spend 3.5% of GDP on core defense, such as troops and weapons, and 1.5% on broader defense-related measures such as cybersecurity, pipeline protection, and adapting roads and bridges for military vehicles.

All NATO members have supported a statement setting the goal, although Spain has stated that it does not have to meet the target. Madrid says it can meet its military obligations to NATO by spending much less – a position Rutte disputes.

But Rutte has engaged in a diplomatic game with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as part of his intensive efforts to secure a diplomatic victory for Trump and ensure the summit runs smoothly.

An unusual insight into summit diplomacy

Trump gave an unusual insight into these efforts on Tuesday by releasing a private message in which Rutte showered him with praise and congratulated him on his "decisive action in Iran".

"You will achieve something that NO US president has been able to do for decades," Rutte told Trump.

"Europe will pay BIG, as it should, and it will be your victory."

To satisfy Trump, Rutte also kept the summit and its final statement short and focused on the spending pledge.

The text is expected to name Russia as a threat and reaffirm allies' support for Ukraine, but will not dwell on these issues, given Trump's more conciliatory stance towards Moscow and less supportive stance towards Kyiv than his predecessor, Joe Biden.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had to settle for a place at a pre-summit dinner on Tuesday evening, rather than a seat at the main meeting today, although Trump said he would likely meet with Zelensky separately.

Zelensky's plans to meet with Trump in Canada last week fell through when the US president left the G7 summit early, citing the need to focus on the Middle East crisis.

Zelensky and his aides have said they want to discuss with Trump the purchase of US weapons, including Patriot missile defense systems, and increasing pressure on Moscow through stricter sanctions.

The Kremlin has accused NATO of heading towards uncontrolled militarization and of portraying Russia as a "devil from hell" to justify a large increase in defense spending.