The NATO summit meeting has just ended, reports the National Information Service. Rutte will keep a final statement in about 20 minutes, which we will of course keep you informed.
The police have already arrested dozens of XR activists. Some of the demonstrators that are taken away in buses has been taken to the ADO stadium.
Protesters sitting at the intersection of the Bezuidenhoutseweg and the Utrechtsebaan are being removed by the police one by one. The police asked them to leave, but they were not listened to. People are arrested and placed in a city bus.
Reader question: How much does organizing the NATO summit cost? The NATO-TOP 2025 costs (for the time being) around 183.4 million euros. These costs are for the organization of the top. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Justice and Security pay these costs. Converted, it is just over 10 euros per Dutch person.
NATO pays, among other things, the hotel costs of its employees and the security of the halls where state heads and government leaders meet. “Furthermore, it is common for the host country to contribute to the costs for the organization of a NATO summit,” the central government reports. “In this way the countries that are members of the alliance fairly divide the costs.”
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Protesters block the intersection The Hague A new group of demonstrators from XR has blocked the intersection between Bezuidenhoutseweg and the Utrechtsebaan in The Hague. They sat down on the floor and are surrounded by police buses.
A scheduled bus is already ready to remove the protesters if they do not leave voluntarily.
Rutte gives final declaration at 2.30 pm The meeting seems to be ending, our NU.nl reporters report from the World Forum. Rutte is expected to give a final statement about the decisions taken around 2.30 pm.
Rutte has been known for some time as ‘Trump whisperer’ We notice in recent days that Rutte is spawning the US president. He sent him a praising app and called him a “man of Vrede”. He seems to do everything to ensure that the US remains a NATO ally and continues to believe in the interest of the Alliance. It fits his role as a ‘Trump whisperer’, a role that helped him in his appointment as NATO chef.
Rutte received that reputation in 2018. Then he saved a tense NATO meeting in Brussels by reminding Trump that the allies are increasingly expanding on defense thanks to him. In the same year, Rutte corrected the president during a visit to the White House, something that does not happen often.
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Small demonstration of Free Russia at World Forum at the site of the World Forum in The Hague where the continuation of the NATO summit takes place on Wednesday, about fifteen demonstrators from the Free Russia organization gathered. They wear a banner with the text ‘ Support ukraine Stronger, Faster, More! . ‘ The Free Russia Foundation was founded by Russians in the Netherlands and supports the war of Russia in Ukraine.
On the Malieveld there are also a few dozen people for the second day of the manifestation of peoples for peace. Under that name, different groups protest against NATO and for a pro-Russian view of the war in Ukraine.
A group of fifty protesters is arrested on the Zuid-Hollandlaan, near a gas station. The police are going to carry the group away in a city bus. Around thirty people are put on a bus on Boslaan.
In a video from Omroep West you can see that a bus is ready on the Bezuidenhoutseweg to reduce protesters. A few protesters who sit down on Boslaan (a side street from the Bezuidenhoutseweg to the Utrechtsebaan) are arrested by the police and put on the bus.
A few lanes from the Utrechtsebaan have been closed, the police reported on X. “Out of two courses, city in one more lane, so you can only turn right.”
The police did that to be able to act better against the demonstrators.
All demonstrators on the road have since been arrested by the police. Agents call on the demonstrators to stay sitting so that they can be removed.
The Utrechtsebaan (A12) is now closed in both directions. There are groups of protesters in various places along the road. The police started drifting away the activists. Someone was injured. That person is now being treated in an ambulance.
Almost three hundred drones from the sky removed from The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen that in recent days almost three hundred drones have been removed from the air near NATO top. Flying with drones is forbidden until Thursday in and around The Hague, Schiphol and Rotterdam.
Before the top started, the police had already seized dozens of drones in and around The Hague.
The A12 in The Hague is closed in one direction due to the climate demonstration. The photo shows how a group of activists on the road and the cycle path is next to it. Also at the Malieveld and on the Boslaan, demonstrators try to go on the road. The police keep them off the road and warns that they can be arrested. According to a reporter from ANP, fain sticks are used.
XR tries to block A12, the police hold protesters against protesters of Extinction Rebellion try to block the Utrechtsebaan (A12) in The Hague. There is a row of police officers to stop them.
Máxima leads partners of NATO leaders in Rotterdam Koningin Máxima leads on Wednesday the partners of world leaders who are around in the Netherlands for the NATO summit in the Netherlands. The Vorstin received its company at the Boijmans van Beuningen depot. Before that, the queen himself was welcomed by Mayor Carola Schouten of Rotterdam and Wouter Kolff, the King’s Commissioner in South Holland.
According to Rijnmond , there were many markets around the depot and cars and bicycles were not allowed to park in the immediate vicinity. Bicycles that were still at the Museum Park were cut away. According to the local broadcaster, it is likely that Máxima and her company will also make a cruise on the Nieuwe Maas later in the day. A tour boat is ready in the Parkhaven.
The press may not be present at the NATO meeting. This photo was taken shortly before. Around 2 p.m. Mark Rutte gives a final statement about what has been decided.
Reader’s question: Why have the Indo-Pacific countries canceled? Nu.nl-Lezers wonder why the leaders of Japan, South Korea and Australia have canceled for the NATO top. They are not a NATO member, but are seen as a NATO ‘partner’. The countries have not given any official reason for their cancellation.
According to the Japanese channel Fuji Television, the Japanese Prime Minister withdrew because a planned meeting between NATO and the group of four Indo-Pacific countries (IP4) would probably not continue, and because a meeting with Trump was also unlikely.
Japanese Foreign Minister is in The Hague this week.
Many police in anticipation of highway blockade on the edge of the A12 and the Malieveld in The Hague are ready. Police vans and agents have also been set up on both sides of the road. They want to prevent climate activists from blocking the highway around noon, as they had announced.
The protest was organized by Extinction Rebellion because of the NATO summit in The Hague. Not only do they want to demonstrate against climate policy, but also against the war in the Gaza Strip.
After the welcome words of Rutte and Schoof, the meeting started. It takes place behind closed doors.
The last NATO meeting in The Hague took place in 1989, just before the end of the Cold War. Schoof says there was hope for better ties with Russia, but that was an illusion. “That made the raid in Ukraine clear.”
“Peace must be constantly protected. That comes with a price. We have to intervene quickly and thoroughly. Let us united the Hague plan. Let’s write history today.”
Schoof welcomes all those present on behalf of the Dutch government in The Hague. “In this city we speak the language of peace. After today she will also be known as a city of unity. We will make decisions that lead to an unprecedented increase in our defense budget. That will make our transatlantic union stronger. So that we can ensure our safety and legal order.”
Rutte opens the meeting by saying that we live in a dangerous time. There is war in Ukraine, war in the Middle East, there are new technologies and there is a threat of terrorism.
“During this top we will make important decisions to protect our residents.” Rutte is referring to the 5 percent standard. According to him, the US has worn far too great costs for a long time when it comes to NATO. Rutte says that Trump has managed that other countries are now going to spend more on Defense.
And there is the first version of the group photo!
View here how the Trump column arrived earlier this morning at the World Forum.
And with a few clicks the photos were taken. It is now for everyone to hope that they are in good shape. After taking the photo, everyone moves to the meeting room, where the large NATO meeting will finally start. It has been delayed for 45 minutes now.
All government leaders now take a picture together. They walk on stage one by one. Rutte and Schoof are in the middle, with Trump on Ruttes side.
Trump confirms conversation with Zensky Trump has just confirmed that he has a conversation with his Ukrainian colleague Zensky during the NATO summit. “I will find him today. I don’t know, I assume we are talking about Ukraine,” Trump told the press.
Trump called Zensky a “nice man” and said that they are going to discuss “obvious”. “His problems,” he clarified.
Rutte and Trump just had a conversation behind closed doors and then took some time to answer some questions from the press.
Pressing moment Rutte and Trump mainly dedicated to Iran The press moment was just about Iran. Trump was asked about the leaked defense report on the attack on the Iranian facilities. It states that the damage is not as considerable as the US government claims. Trump dismisses the report as “nonsense”. “If you look at the satellite images, you see that everything is blackened,” he said. Trump also fiercely lashed out at the American media.
There were already great worries that Iran would overshadow the NATO summit. Rutte intervened. “The most important thing is that the US has removed Iran’s nuclear threat,” said the NATO chef.
Time for the photo moments All government leaders of NATO member states now go one by one with outgoing Prime Minister Schoof and NATO chef Rutte. After this a group photo is taken with all those present. So it will take a while before the NATO meeting starts, which was actually planned at 10.30 am.
Trump on compliance article 5: ‘We are completely on their side’ Rutte and Trump have just briefly spoken to the press. The US president was asked by a journalist for his intention with Article 5 of NATO. It states that an attack on one Member State is an attack on all Member States. Trump sowed confusion yesterday by saying that that sense can be interpreted in different ways.
“We are completely by their side,” Trump responded now.
Trump and Rutte keep opening speech NATO-Secretary-General Rutte underlined in his welcome speech that President Trump has managed to spend all NATO member states spend more on Defense. Trump underlines the good relationship he has with Rutte.
At Schiphol, all parked government aircraft are neatly listed.
Rutte and Trump in conversation We currently get through that Rutte and Trump are now in conversation. There is no further a press. The meeting with all government leaders would actually start at 10.30 am, but the program ends. A group photo must also be taken before the start of the meeting.
Hungarian President Viktor Orbán makes the most critical sound hear the Hungarian President Viktor Orbán does not see Russia, but the competitive position of Europe as a threat, he tells the press present at the NATO summit. NATO also has nothing to look for in Ukraine.
Almost all government leaders in the meantime almost all government leaders have arrived at the top. Some, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, were not talking to the press. Others took the time for that, such as the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Merz expects “great agreement” about the increase in the NATO standard. According to him, the alliance is facing a “historical” top.
Trump arrives through other entrance President Trump has arrived out of sight of the cameras in the World Forum in The Hague. He has not yet spoken to the press. In a post on his social network Truth Social, Trump writes: “The day starts in beautiful Netherlands. The king and queen are beautiful and impressive people. Our breakfast meeting was great! Now on to the very important NATO meeting. The US will be very well represented!”
Trump woke up this morning at the Huis ten Bosch Palace and then had breakfast together with the royal couple.
Belgium thinks that higher NATO standard is feasible Prime Minister Bart De Wever thinks Belgium is able to meet the higher NATO standard in ten years. At the top, it will be agreed today that the countries must spend 3.5 percent of their GDP in 2035 on Defense. In addition, they have to invest 1.5 percent in other safety issues, such as infrastructure and cyber.
De Wever still called the 3.5 percent “unrealistic” yesterday. Just like Spain, Belgium thinks it can also get the defense in order with less high editions.
Belgium spent 1.3 percent of GDP on Defense last year. However, a billion -dollar agreement was concluded yesterday, so that the expenditure will reach 2 percent this year.
Norway speaks of ‘historic NATO summit’ Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre speaks of a historic NATO summit. “The duration of today’s meeting says nothing about its historical value”. He thereby refers to the decision that NATO member states to invest much more money in defense.
Estonia: ‘We should not be afraid, but prepared’ the Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal warns the alliance of neighboring Russia. “As long as Putin does not adjust his goals and ambitions, Russia remains an acute threat to NATO. We should not be afraid, but prepare ourselves.”
The country intends to spend 5.4 percent of GDP on defense this year. That is already more than the intended 5 percent that the government leaders will make agreements about today.
The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer just arrived at the World Forum in The Hague. He said nothing to the press present.
Queen Máxima is today going with partners of government leaders while the government leaders meet today, their partners do not have to be bored. They have an outing with Queen Máxima. The Vorstin takes them to Rotterdam, among others. For safety reasons, the further program has not been announced. It is also not known whether all partners will last.
Rutte: “Trump fully committed to Article 5 of NATO” According to Rutte, US President Donald Trump “fully committed” to Article 5 of NATO. That article states that an attack on one Member State is an attack on all Member States. Trump had doubted about this on Tuesday on the way to the Netherlands. He said that article 5 can be interpreted in several ways.
Schoof hopes on a historic day for the rearmament and there is also outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof. “We want to achieve two things today. We have to radiate unity and together decide to higher defense spending and ensure that we increase our production.”
Thanks also thanks all the volunteers who make the NATO summit possible.
Rutte arrives (together with one of his spokespersons) at the World Forum for the NATO top.
Rutte arrived at the NATO top Secretary-General Rutte has just arrived at the World Forum. He briefly talks to the press. The most important thing on the agenda is today the increase in the NATO standard. According to him, the countries must spend much more on defense. The defense industry, which still produces too little, is also on the agenda. Furthermore, the government leaders will discuss Ukraine. “Ukraine should be able to continue to count on NATO support,” says Rutte.
Nu.nl reporter Edo van der Goot is at the World Forum, where the government leaders are expected from 8 a.m.
This was on the menu yesterday afternoon, the Government Information Service did not want to let go of the menu at the Royal Dinner, but now we know what was served at Huis ten Bosch Palace:
At the different courses, guests could enjoy a Chardonnay, a Merlot-Kabernet Sauvignon and a glass of champagne. It is not known what any vegetarian or vegan guests were presented with.
Again problems on track at Schiphol, now that Seinray This morning there are again problems on the track in the Randstad. A signal failure disrupts train traffic around Schiphol Airport. The problems are expected to last until 9.15 am.
A defective overhead line causes problems on the processes between Utrecht and The Hague and Utrecht and Rotterdam. There are “far fewer trains”. According to the Dutch Railways, it takes up to at least 8.45 am before that is resolved.
Again quiet on roads in the The Hague region on the roads in the The Hague region, it is also quiet this morning. A spokesperson for the ANWB reports that around 6.45 am, just like in recent days, there are no significant things on the roads in this region.
The ANWB thinks that many people choose to work from home again. “We saw that in recent days and is also the expectation for today.” The spokesperson notes that there is less traffic on the road in the region. “There are far fewer traffic jams than normal.”
TOP today is all about heavily fought new NATO standard today is all about the flagship of the NATO summit: the increase in the defense standard from 2 to 5 percent. That should be the most important outcome of the two -day top. Although there will still be official meetings about it, only some wrinkles will be smoothed out this afternoon. In principle, the Member States already agree on the increase.
That was not without a struggle. Spain in particular was angry about the new, ‘unfeasible’ NATO standard, which was presented by Rutte under pressure from the United States. To keep crossbar Spain on board, Rutte changed the concept text of the final statement.
The 5 percent standard is probably cut into two categories: Member States must spend 3.5 percent of their GNP on hard, ‘traditional’ defense spending. The remaining 1.5 percent may be invested in supporting matters such as infrastructure or cyber security.
Yesterday the train traffic to and from Schiphol Airport was disrupted all day. The police take into account a crime and investigate whether the power outage has a relationship with the NATO summit in The Hague. In the meantime, the damage has been restored and train traffic is getting started again.
A somewhat striking moment of the first NATO day revolved around this: Trump published an app that he had received from Rutte. He was overloaded with compliments, including for his interference in the Middle East.
Rutte responded quite casually: according to him the tone of the message was “justified”. But releasing the app was “not planned”.
Rutte and King Willem-Alexander spoke the world leaders last night during a dinner in the Huis ten Bosch Palace. “This is a historic summit at a crucial moment,” said Rutte. Willem-Alexander hopes that future historians will consider the top as a milestone, “where we took groundbreaking decisions and together took responsibility for the preservation of peace, freedom and the rule of law”.
It is important for the world leaders to achieve concrete agreements about increasing defense expenditure. According to NATO boss Rutte, that is a formality and has all Member States on board.
The Nato Summit Has Just Ended, Accordance to the Government Information Service. Rutte will give a closing statement in about 20 minutes, which we will of course keep you informed of.
The Police Have Already Arreaded Boxes of XR Activists. Part of the demonstrators Being Tasks Away in Buses Have Been tasks to the ADO Stadium.
Demonstrators sitting at the intersection of Bezuidenhoutseweg and Utrechtsebaan are Being Removed One by One by the Police. The Police Asked Them to Leave, But they were not listed to. People Are Being arrested and placed in a city bus.
Reader Question: How much does it cost to organize the nato summit? The Nato Summit 2025 Costs (Provisionally) Approximately 183.4 Million Euros. These costs are for the organization of the summit. The Mienistries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Justice and Security Pay These Costs. Converted, This Amounts to Just over 10 euros per Dutch Person.
Nato Pays for, Among Other Things, The Hotel Costs of its Employees and the Security of the Halls Where Heads of State and Government Measures. “Furthermore, IT is Customary for the Host Country to Contribute to the Costs of Organizing A Nato Summit,” Reports the National Government. “In this way, The Countries That Are Members of the Alliance Share the Costs Fairly.”
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Demonstrators Block Intersection The Hague A New Group of XR demonstrators has blocked the intersection between Bezuidenhoutseweg and Utrechtsebaan in the Hague. They have sat on the ground and are surrounded by police vans.
A Bus is Already Ready to Take the Demonstrators Away If they do not leave Voluntarily.
Rutte Will Give a Closing Statement AT 2.30 pm The Meeting Seems to Be Coming to An End, Our Nu.nl Reporters Report From the World Forum. Rutte is expected to give a closing statement around 2.30 pm about the decisions tasks.
Rutte Has Long Been Known As ‘Trump Whisperer’ We have noticed in recent days that Rutte is Appeasing the American President. He sent him a complimentary app and called him a “man of peace”. He seems to be doing everything he can to ensure that the us remains a nato ally and continues to believe in the interest of the alliance. It fits in with his role as ‘Trump Whisperer’, A Role that Helped Him with his appointment as Nato Chief.
Rutte Gained that reputation in 2018. Hey Saved a Tense Nato Meeting in Brussels by Reminding Trump That the Allies Were Spending More and More on Defense Thanks to Him. In That Same Year, Rutte Corrected the President Duration a Visit To The White House, Something That Does Not Often Happen.
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Small demonstration by Free Russia at World Forum About Fifteen demonstrators from the Free Russia Organization Have Gathered at the Site of the World Forum in The Hague, Where the Continuation of the Nato Summit Will Take Place on Wednesday. They carry a banner with the text ‘ support ukraine sternger, faster, more! . ‘ The Free Russia Foundation was founded by Russians in the Netherlands and Supports Resistance Against Russia’s War in Ukraine.
Several Dishes People are also on the Malieveld Again for the Second Day of the Peoples for Peace Manifestation. Under That Name, Various Groups Are Protesting Against Nato and for a Pro-Russian View of the War in Ukraine.
On the Zuid-Hollandlaan, Near A Gas Station, A Group of Fifty demonstrators have arrested. The Police Are Going to Take the Group Away in A City Bus. About Thirty People Have Been Put on a Bus on the Boslaan.
In a video from Omroep West , a bus can be so on the bezuidenhoutseweg ready to take demonstrators away. A Few demonstrators Who Were Sitting on the Boslaan (A Side Street of the Bezuidenhoutseweg to the Utrechtsebaan) Have Been arrested by the Police and Put on the bus.
Several Lanes of the Utrechtsebaan Have Been Closed, The Police Report On X. “Two Lanes are open from the city, one lane into the city, so you can only turn right.”
The Police Did That To Be Able to Act Better Against the Demonstrators.
All demonstrators sitting on the road now leg arrested by the police. Officers are calling on the demonstrators to remain seated so that they can be tasks away.
The Utrechtsebaan (A12) is now closed in Both Directions. There are Groups of Demonstrators in Various Places Along the Road. The Police Have started to drive away the protesters. Someone was injured in the process. That person is now being treated in an ambulance.
Nearly Three Hundred Drones Tasks out of the Air The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen Reports That Nearly Three Hundred Drones Have Been Tasks Out Of The Air In Recent Days Near The Nato Summit. Flying Drones is Prohibited in And Around The Hague, Schiphol and Rotterdam Until Thursday.
Before The Summit Begen, The Police had Already Confiscated Diseases of Drones in And Around The Hague.
The A12 in The Hague is closed in One Direction Due to the Climate Demonstration. The Photo Shows a Group of Activists Sitting on the Road and the Adjacent Bicycle Path. Demonstrators are also trying to get onto the road at the malieveld and on the boslaan. The Police Are Keeping Them Off The Road and Warning That They May Be arrested. Accordance to a reporter from ANP , Batons are Being Used.
XR Tries to Block A12, Police Stop Demonstrators demonstrators from Extinction Rebellion Are Tryping to Block The Utrechtsebaan (A12) in The Hague. There is a line of police officers to stop them.
Máxima Leads Partners of Nato Leaders Around in Rotterdam Queen Máxima Will Lead The Partners of World Leaders Who Are In The Netherlands For The Nato Summit Around Rotterdam on Wednesday. The Queen Received Her Company at The Depot Boijmans van Beuningen. Before That, The Queen was Welcomed by Mayor Carola Schouten of Rotterdam and Wouter Kolff, The King’s Commissioner in South Holland.
Accordance to Rijnmond , There Were Many Barriers around the depot and cars and bicycles were not allowed to park in the immediate vicinity. Bicycles That Were Still in The Museum Park Were Cut Away. Accordance to the local broadcaster, it is likely that máxima and her company will also take a boat trip over the new Maas later in the day. A Tour Boat is ready in The Parkhaven.
The Press is not allowed to be present at the nato meeting. This photo was tasks shortly before. Around 2:00 pm, Mark Rutte Will Give a Closing Statement about what has leg decided.
Reader Question: Why Did the Indo-Pacific Countries Cancel? Nu.nl Readers Are Wondering Why The Leaders Of Japan, South Korea and Australia Canceled for the Nato Summit. They are not nato members, but are seen as nato ‘partners’. The Countries Have Given No Official Reason For Their Cancellation.
Accordance to the Japanese Broadcaster Fuji Television , the Japanese Prime Minister withdrew Because a Planned Meeting Between Nato and the Group of Four Indo-Pacific Countries (IP4) was Unlikely to Take Place, and Becoaus with Trump.
The Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs is in The Hague This Week.
Many Police at A12 Awaiting Motorway Blockade Many Police Officers Are Ready on the Edge of the A12 and the Malieveld in the Hague. There are also police vans and mounted officers on both sides of