NATO chef Mark Rutte called the NATO summit in The Hague “fantastic” and a great success. But how do countries pay for their extra defense investments? We presented your best and most asked questions about the NATO summit to NU.nl reporters Tim Wijkman-van Aalst and Priscilla Slomp.
Why is the NATO summit not digital?
Tim: “In the first place it is about the signal to the world and especially towards countries such as Russia, Iran, China and North Korea. There are now heads of state, government leaders, ministers of defense and Foreign Affairs from 45 countries together. A physical top looks much more powerful than an online meeting.”
“In addition, online meetings with so many world leaders are impossible to secure properly. By physically organizing meetings, everything can be made to prevent the conversations from being overheated. During the NATO top, many secret one-to-one conversations between world leaders also take place.”
What were the main topics on the agenda?
Priscilla: “This NATO summit runs all the way around increasing the defense budget. The countries have agreed a new 5 percent standard with each other.”
“Furthermore, they have also spoken a lot about driving the defense industry. Both Europe and the United States produce too slowly and too little to keep track of the Russian production of weapons, for example.”
“In addition, the support of Ukraine and the threat from Russia were on the agenda.”
“The top was also overshadowed by the developments around Iran. It was the subject of conversation in the corridors. US President Donald Trump also received many questions about this during press moments.”
Why is there so much attention for Trump?
Tim: “The US spends the most money on Defense of all NATO member states. President Trump believes that Europe leans too much on Americans for his protection. The Russian raid in Ukraine shows that Russia is a threat to Europe. Trump is of the opinion that Europe should be able to defend itself against that.”
“With the current spending pattern and the state of defense in many EU countries, that is impossible. That is why Trump has been urging it for a long time that European member states are going to spend much more on Defense. Although NATO Secretary-General Rutte has achieved this, Trump is allowed to iron with this honor.”
How can the Netherlands promise the 5 percent to defense, without this amount being included in the budget for the coming Prinsjesdag?
Priscilla: “The Netherlands has committed itself to the new NATO standard, but the countries have agreed that they will have ten years to meet it. The defense budget will therefore be increased by steps in the coming years.”
“At least, that is the intention. The future cabinets will have to arrange this annually on Prinsjesdag. Of course there can always be a majority and cabinet that no more money wants to spend more money on Defense. But that can be the case in every NATO country.”
“NATO cannot legally oblige countries. It is and remains a promise to each other.”
Are really new agreements made during the NATO summit? Or is everything already determined in advance?
Tim: “During the NATO summit the proverbial dots are put on the i. The real work has already been done in recent weeks and months by diplomats and Rutte. He has ensured that all NATO member states will invest more in Defense. That was a requirement from Trump.”
“The agreements are therefore almost entirely on paper. Government leaders are now in The Hague to formally sign those agreements.”
What do the EU countries think with a relatively high national debt (more than 100 percent of GDP) to finance the extra defense spending in the future?
Tim: “In the coming years, the European Union gives Member States the space to make their national debt run a little further to be able to spend more money on Defense. In addition, Brussels comes with special loans for defense expenses.”
“The EU is not part of NATO. However, Ursula von der Leyen, chairman of the European Commission, was also present at the NATO summit. She underlined that the safety of Europe is a joint task of both the European Union and NATO, because not all EU Member States are also members of NATO.”
Nato Chief Mark Rutte Called the Nato Summit in the Hague “Fantastic” and A Great Success. But How Do Countries Pay For Their Extra Defense Investments? We put your best and most frequently asked questions about the nato summit to nu.nl reporters Tim Wijkman-van Aalst and Priscilla Slomp.
Why isn’t the Nato Summit Digital?
Tim: “First of all, it’s about sending a signal to the world, eSpecial to Countries Like Russia, Iran, China and North Korea. There are now heads of State, heads of Government, Ministers of Defense and Fourte Mummy mum from Fairs fromfairs Fromfairs Fromfairs from Powerful Than An Online Meeting. “
“In Addition, online meetings with so many world leaders are impossible to secure tarly. By organizing Such Meetings Physically, Everything Possible can be done to prevention the conversations from Being EaSydondop, manswed-towood, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit, wallit-to-die wallt Also Take Place. “
What were the main topics on the agenda?
Priscilla: “This Nato Summit is all about Increasing the Defense Budget. The Countries Have Agreed on a New Standard of 5 percent.”
“They also talked a lot about boosting the defense industry. Both Europe and the United States Are Producing Too Slowly and Too Little to Keep Up With, For Example, Russian Arms Production.”
“In Addition, support for ukraine and the threat from Russia Were on the agenda.”
“The Summit was also overshadowed by Developments Surrounding Iran. It was the subject of conversation in the corridors. US President Donald Trump also Received many Questions about It Duration Press Moments.”
Why is there so much attention for trump?
Tim: “The US spends the most money on defense of all nato member States. President Trump believes that Europe Relies Too much on the Americans for its Protection. The Russian Invasion of Ukraine shows that Russia Poses a Must to Europe.
“With the current spending pattern and the state of defense in many Eu Countries, that is impossible. That is why trump has been urging European states to spend much more on defense for some time now. Although Nato secretary turee hascaned Has for a ha of khake haas for a ha of khake haas This. “
How can the Netherlands pledge 5 percent to defense, without this amount being included in the budget for the upcoming budget day?
Priscilla: “The Netherlands Has Committed to the New Nato Standard, But the Countries Have Agreed that they have have ten years to comply with it. The Defense Budget Will Therefore Be Increased in Steps in the Coming Years.”
“At Least, that is the intention. The Future Cabinets Will have to arrange this annually on Budget Day. There can of course Always Be A Parliamentary Majority and Cabinet That No Longer Want to spend Money Nato Council.
“Nato Cannot Legally oblige Countries Either. It is and Remains A Promise To Each Other.”
Are any new Agreements Really Being Made Turning the Nato Summit? Or is Everything Determined in Advance?
Tim: “Duration the Nato Summit, The ProVarbial Dots are put on the i’s. The real work has already bone done in recent weeks and months by diplomats and rutte. He has ensured that all Nato Member States Will Invest More in Defense. That was a request of a request of a request of trense.”
“The Agreements are Therefore Almost Completely On Paper. Government Leaders are now in the Hague to Formally Sign Those Agreements.”
How do eu country with a relatively high national debt (More than 100 percent of GDP) plan to finance the extra defense spending in the future?
Tim: “In the coming years, The European Union Will give Give Member States the Space to Allow Their National Debt to Increase Slightly Further in Order To Be Able to Spend More on Defense. In Addition, Brussels Is Coming Up With Special Loans for Defense Spending.”
“The EU is not part of nato. However, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, was also present at the Nato Summit. She Emphasized that the Security of Europe is a Joint Task of Both the European Union and Nato, Nato.