World leaders gather at NATO summit in The Hague
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 Rutte’s 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 burned black,” he said. Trump also fiercely lashed out at the American media.
There were already great concerns 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 are now in the photo 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, an attack on all”. 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 underlines in his welcome word that President Trump has managed to spend all NATO member states more on Defense. Trump underlines the good relationship he has with Rutte.
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 heard Hungarian President Viktor Orbán does not see Russia as a threat, but the competitive position of Europe, 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, like the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, took the time for that.
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.
The Netherlands can easily pay higher NATO standard according to Rutte: “We are wealthy!”
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.
For a long time, Ukraine seemed the most important safety issue in the run-up to the NATO summit. But the escalation between Iran and Israel and the American interference in that conflict pushing Russian aggression into the background. NATO boss Mark Rutte does everything to prevent that. Read more here .
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. Read more about that diplomatic trick in this article .
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. Read on here.
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”.
Read the full texts here.
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.
Good morning and welcome to this live blog. The world leaders are expected in The Hague from 8.30 am. A welcome ceremony will start there at 10 am, after which a broad NATO meeting is planned at 10.30 am. After the meeting, Rutte will give a press conference.
Here you can read the full first day.
World Leaders Gather at Nato Summit In The Hague
And with a few clicks the photos are tasks. Now Everyone is hoping they look good. After Taking the Photo, Everyone Moves to the Meeting Room, Where the Big Nato Meeting Will Finally Start. It’s already 45 minutes late.
All Government Leaders Are Now Taking a Photo Together. One by one they walk onto the stage. Rutte and Schoof are in the middle, With Trump at Rutte’s Side.
Trump Confirms Meeting with Zensky Trump Just confirmmed that he will have a meeting with his ukrainian counterpart zensky Doe Nato Summit. “I’m Meeting Him Today. I Don’t Know, I Assume We’re Going to Talk About Ukraine,” Trump Told the Press.
Trump Called Zensky A “Nice Man” And Said They would discuss “The Obvious.” “His problems,” he Clarified.
Rutte and Trump Just had A Closed-through Meeting and Then Tok Some Time to Answer some Questions from the Press.
Press Moment Rutte and Trump Mainly Focused on Iran The Press Moment was Mainly Focused on Iran. Trump was Asked About the Leaked Defense Report About the Attack on the Iranian Facilities. It States That The Damage is not as significant as the American Government claims. Trump Dismisses The Report As “Nonsense”. “If you look at the satellite images, you see everything is burned black,” he said. Trump also lashed out at the American media.
There Were Already Major Concerns That Iran would Overshadow the Nato Summit. Rutte Therefore Intervend. “The Most Important Thing is that the US has removed the nuclear threat from Iran,” Said the Nato Chief.
Time for the photo opportunities all Government Leaders of Nato Member States are nowtaking a photo one by one with outgoing prime minister shoved and nato chief rutte. After this, a Group Photo Will Be Taken with Everyone Present. So it will take a while before the nato meeting, which was actual Scheduled for 10.30 am.
Trump on complying with article 5: ‘We stand fully by their side’ rutte and trump just briefly spoke to the press. The American President was asked by a journalist about his intention with article 5 or nato. It States That “An Attack On One Is An Attack On All”. Trump Sowed Confusion Yesterday by Saying That That Sentence Can Be Interpreted in Different Ways.
“We stand fully by their side,” Trump responded now.
Trump and Rutte Give Opening Speech Nato Secretary General Rutte Emphasizes in His Welcome Speech That President Trump Has Managed To Get Nato Member States to Spend More On Defense. Trump Emphasizes the Good Relationship he has with Rutte.
Rutte and Trump in Discussion We Are Currently Receiving Information that Rutte and Trump Are Now in Discussion With Each Other. No Press is present. The Meeting With All Government Leaders was Actually Scheduled to Start at 10.30 am, but the program is running late. Before the Start of the Meeting, A Group Photo Must also BE TAKEN.
Hungarian President Viktor Orbán Expresses The Most Critical Sound Hungarian President Viktor Orbán Does Not See Russia As A Threat, But The Competitive Position of Europe, He Tells The Press Press At The Nato Summit. Accordance to Him, Nato Has No Business in Ukraine Either.
Almost All Government Leaders Inside Meanwhile, Almost All Government Leaders have arrived at the Summit. Some, Such as French President Emmanuel Macron, Did Not Speak to the Press. Others, Such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Did Take the Time for That.
Merz Expects “Great Agreement” on the Increase of the Nato Standard. Accordance to him, the Alliance is Facing A “Historic” Summit.
Trump Arrives via Another Entrance President Trump Has Arrived at the World Forum in the Hague Outside the View of the Cameras. He has not yet spoken to the press. In a post on His Social Network Truth Social, Trump Writes: “The Day Begins in The Beautiful Netherlands. The King and Queen Are Wonderful and Impressive People. Our Breakfast Meeting was Great! Now Off to the Very Important Nato Meeting. The Us Will Be Ver Very Well, Well,”.
Trump Woke up this morning at Palace Huis ten Bosch and then had breakfast with the royal couple.
Belgium Thinks Higher Nato Standard is Achievable Prime Minister Bart De Wever Thinks That Belgium Will Be Able to Meet the Higher Nato Standard in Ten Years. It will be aged at the Summit Today that Countries must spend 3.5 percent of their GDP on Defense by 2035. On top of that, They Must Invest 1.5 percent in Other Security Matters, Such as Infrastructure and Cyber.
De Wever Called the 3.5 percent “Unrealistic” Yesterday. Like Spain, Belgium Thinks it can also get its defense in order with less high expenditure.
Last year, Belgium spent 1.3 percent or its GDP on defense. However, A Multi-Billion Dollar Agreement was concluded Yesterday, As A Result of which Expenditure will Amount to 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 is referring to the decision that Nato Member States Will Invest Much More Money in Defense.
Estonia: ‘We must not be afraid, but prepared’ Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal Warns the Alliance about Neighboring Country Russia. “As long as putin does not adjust his goals and ambitions, russia remains an acute threat to nato. We must not be afraid, but prepare urselves.”
The country plans to spend 5.4 percent of its GDP on defense this year. That is already more than the intended 5 percent that the government leaders will agree on today.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Arrived Just Now at the World Forum in the Hague. He said nothing to the press present.
The Netherlands can Easily Pay the Higher Nato Standard According to Rutte: “We are very rich!”
Queen Máxima Out and About Today with Partners of Government Leaders While the Government Leaders Are Busy Meeting Today, Their Partners Don’t have To Be Boreed. They have an outing with queen máxima. The Queen Will Take Them to Rotterdam, Among Other Places. For Security Reasons, The Further Program Has Not Been Announced. It is also not Known Whether All Partners Will Come Along.
Rutte: ‘Trump fully committed to article 5 or nato’ Accordination to Rutte, American President Donald Trump is “fully committed” to article 5 or nato. That article States That an Attack One Member State is an Attack on All Member States. Trump had Cast Doubt on that on Tuesday and route to the Netherlands. He said that article 5 can be interpreted in Several Ways.
SHOOF HOPES FOR A HISTORIC DAY FOR REARMAMAMEN AND THERE IS ALSO OUTGOING PROME Minister Dick Schoof. “We want to achieve two things today. We must radiate unity and jointen decide on highher defense spending and ensure that we increase our production.”
Also shoved 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 Summit.
Rutte arrived at the Nato Summit Secretary General Rutte Has Just arrived at the World Forum. Hey letters speaks to the press. The Most Important Thing On The Agenda Today is the Increase of the Nato Standard. Accordance to him, Countries must spend much more on defense. The Defense Industry, which is Still Producting Too Little, is also on the agenda. Furthermore, The Government Leaders Will discuss Ukraine. “Ukraine must continuous to be able to count on support from Nato,” Says Rutte.
NU.nl Reporter Edo van der Goot is at the world forum, where the government leaders are expected from 8:00 am.
Ukraine seemed to be the most important security issue in the run-up to the nato summit for a long time. But the escalation between Iran and Israel and American Interference in that conflict are pushing russian aggression into the background. Nato Chief Mark Rutte is Doing Everything He can to prevent that. Read here More.
This was on the menu last night night yesterday Afternoon, the Government Information Service Did Not Want to reveal Anything about the menu at the royal dinner, but now we know what was served at Palace Huis ten Bosch:
Duration the Various Courses, Guests Could Enjoy a Chardonnay, A Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon and A Glass of Champagne. It is not known what vegetarian or vegan guests were served.
More Problems on the Railway at Schiphol, Now Signal Failure This Morning There Are Again Problems On The Railway in the Randstad. A Signal Failure is Disrupting Train Traffic Around Schiphol Airport. The Problems are expected to last Until 9:15 am.
A Defective Overhead Line is causing problems on the routes between Utrecht and the Hague and Utrecht and Rotterdam. “Far Fewer Trains” are running there. Accordance to ns, it will take until at Least 8:45 am before that is resolved.
Again Quiet on Roads in the Hague Region It is also Quiet on the Roads in the Hague Region This Morning. A Spokesperson for the ANWB reports that, as in recent days, there are no noteworthy issues on the roads in this region around 6:45 am.
The ANWB Thinks That Many People Are Again Opting To Work From Home. “We saw that in recent days and it 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 Usual.”
Summit Today Focuses On Hard-Fought New Nato Standard Today is Dedicated to the Showpiece of the Nato Summit: The Increase of the Defense Standard from 2 to 5 percent. That should be the most important outcome of the two-day summit. AltheHe there will still be official discussions about it, in practice only some wrinkles will be irononed out this afternoon. In principle, The Member States Are Already in Agreement About the Increase.
However, that did not happen without a fight. Spain in particular was Angry about the new, ‘unachievable’ Nato Standard, which was Propose by Rutte Under Pressure from the United States. In order to keep obstructionist Spain on Board, Rutte Changed the Draft Text of the Final Declaration. Read in this article more about that diplomatic trick.
The 5 percent Standard Will Probable Be Split Into Two Categories: Member States Must spend 3.5 percent of their GDP on Hard, ‘Traditional’ Defense Spending. The Remaining 1.5 percent can be invested in supporting Matters Such as Infrastructure or cyber security.
Yesterday, train traffic to and from Schiphol Airport was Disrupted All Day. The Police Are Taking Into Account A Crime And Are Investigating Whether The Power Outage is Related To The Nato Summit In The Hague. The Damage Has Now Been Repaired and Train Traffic is Running Again. Read more here.
A somewhat striking moment of the first nato day revolved around this: trump published a message that he had recovered from rutte. In it, he was showered with compliments, including for his involvement in the middle east.
Rutte Reacted Rather Nonchalantly: Accordination to Him, the tone of the message was “Justified”. But Releasing the Message was “not planned”.
Rutte and King Willem-Alexander Addressed the World Leaders Last Night Duration A Dinner at Palace Huis ten Bosch. “This is a historic Summit at a Crucial moment,” Said Rutte. Willem-Alexander Hopes That Future Historians Will Regard the Summit As a Milestone, “Where we made Groundbreaking Decisions and Together Tok Responsibility for Preserving Peace, Freedom and the Rule of Law.”
Read the full Texts Back here.
It is important for the world leaders to reach concrete agreements on increasing defense spending. Accordance to Nato Chief Rutte, that is a formality and he has all member states on board.
Good morning and welcome to this live blog. The World Leaders Are Expected in The Hague from 8:30 am. There will be a welcome ceremony there at 10:00 am, after which a broad nato meeting is scheduled for 10:30 am. After The Meeting, Rutte Will Give A Press Conference.
You can read back the full first day here.