NATO countries pledged on Wednesday, during a summit in The Hague, to significantly increase their military spending, a move US President Donald Trump described as a"great victory."

In its final declaration, the alliance's 32 member states pledged to invest 5% of their annual GDP in defense by 2035.

The allies want to allocate “at least 3.5% of GDP” to military spending, and an additional 1.5% to broader security such as “critical infrastructure protection” and cybersecurity.

But a number of European leaders, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, have warned that achieving this goal is difficult, considering it"unreasonable."

In contrast, the US President hailed this"great victory for all," criticizing Spain and emphasizing his determination to make it "pay" the price for its economic reluctance.

Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Europe, chose a conciliatory tone during the summit in The Hague.

The US president expressed his delight that allies would"very soon" be spending as much as the United States, stressing:"I've always asked them to reach 5%, and they'll reach it. It's a huge percentage... NATO will become very strong with us."

“firm commitment”

Every detail was carefully considered during the mercurial US president's visit, from the toning down of the formal part of the meeting to hosting him for an overnight stay at the royal palace.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte downplayed concerns about the extent of the United States' commitment to NATO, saying,"For me, it is absolutely clear that the United States fully supports" the alliance's rules.

Aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, Donald Trump again confounded his allies by avoiding discussing the US position in the event of an attack on a NATO member.

"It depends on the definition you adopt. There are many definitions of Article 5," he told reporters en route to The Hague.

The article stipulates the principle of mutual defense. If a member state is attacked, all other states rush to its aid.

The summit's final statement strongly affirmed this principle, with members affirming in the text their"firm commitment" to defend one another if attacked.

NATO members also affirmed their"support" for Ukraine,"whose security contributes to our own," and referred to the "long-term threat" posed by Russia in a short paragraph negotiated with Donald Trump, who would have preferred a final statement without mentioning the Russians.

Aid to Ukraine is included in each country's 5% of GDP contribution to defense.

A"constructive" meeting with Zelensky

At the heart of this major international gathering, Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, four months after their heated exchange in the Oval Office.

The two men did not appear together in public, but both praised the meeting.

The Ukrainian president described his meeting with Trump via the X platform as"long and constructive."

Trump also spoke of a "good meeting" with Zelensky, who"wants to see an end" to the war. The US president emphasized,"I think this is the right time to end it. I will speak with Vladimir Putin."

In The Hague, Donald Trump also addressed the situation in the Middle East, stressing that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel is"going very well."

He added that Iran's nuclear program had been set back "several decades" as a result of US strikes.

In an attempt to win the US president's favor, Mark Rutte sent him a glowing letter just before the summit, which Donald Trump quickly shared on social media.

Rutte said the US bombing of Iran was a “decisive” and “truly exceptional” act that “no one else would have dared to do.”

He added in his message to Trump,"Europe will pay a lot, which is what it must do, and you will be the winner."