A historic decision: NATO member states commit to a significant increase in their defense spending. Donald Trump calls it a"victory for the United States." He's only dissatisfied with the Spanish government. More in the live ticker.

At the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, the 32 member states adopted a new spending target. According to the summit declaration, billions of euros are to be invested in armaments and infrastructure by 2035.

All developments on the NATO summit in the live ticker:

19:36 – Rutte: USA will gradually reduce its NATO contribution

According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the United States will gradually reduce its contribution to the military alliance. This applies against the backdrop of the increasing commitment of European member states, the Dutchman said. There will be no gaps, and the process will be well-organized.

6:45 PM – Selensky: Discussed potential drone co-production with Trump

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with his US counterpart Donald Trump"about the potential for co-production of drones." "We can strengthen each other," Zelenskyy wrote on X. He primarily discussed the purchase of American air defense systems with Trump."Ukraine is ready to purchase this equipment and support American weapons manufacturers."

In a previous post, Zelenskyy wrote that"all the truly important issues" were discussed."We talked about how to achieve a ceasefire and genuine peace. We talked about how to protect our people." He continued: "We appreciate the attention and willingness to advance peace."

6:13 p.m. – Around 200 demonstrators arrested

On the sidelines of the NATO summit, police broke up a demonstration and arrested approximately 200 people. Climate activists had previously occupied a section of the A12 city highway for a short time. The demonstrators, from the organization Extinction Rebellion, were protesting the summit and Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip. According to reporters, isolated clashes broke out during the police operation. Police used batons.

16:58 – Macron: Trade peace necessary for major effort in defense

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an end to the trade war between the US and Europe. The agreed-upon joint effort and the increased efforts of the Europeans presuppose a trade peace, Macron said."You can't say as an ally, 'We must spend more,' and tell yourself, 'We will spend more,' and wage a trade war within NATO. That's a contradiction." Unity and respect are necessary."That's why it's very important that we return to what should be the rule among all allies, namely a genuine trade peace and therefore the dismantling of all existing or reinforced tariff barriers."

4:51 PM – Trump threatens Spain with higher tariffs

Trump expressed outrage at Spain's refusal to support the new NATO spending target of five percent of economic output. He said he would make Spain pay for it. He would conclude a trade agreement with Spain in which the country would receive tariffs twice as high as others.

16:36 – According to Trump, the US plans talks with Iran next week

According to President Donald Trump, the US is planning talks with Iran next week. A deal may be signed, Trump said in The Hague at the NATO summit. However, he does not believe this will be necessary. There is currently no statement from the government in Tehran.

4:32 PM – Trump on Zelenskyy conversation: “Couldn’t have been nicer”

Donald Trump, according to his own statements, did not specifically discuss a ceasefire with Russia during his conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky."It was very nice, couldn't have been nicer," Trump said at his press conference at the conclusion of the NATO summit.

4:26 PM – Trump: “We believe the war is over”

In his speech at the NATO summit, US President Donald Trump expressed satisfaction with the agreed increase in defense spending and spoke of"historic milestones." He called this a "win for the US," which had "done more than its fair share."

Trump also said he believes the conflict between Iran and Israel is over."It was a 12-day war, and we believe it's over." He added,"I don't think they're going to go at each other again."

Trump said he was allowing Iran to sell its oil. After the end of the war with Israel, the country needed to rebuild and needed money. Therefore, China could also buy Iranian oil again.

16:00 – EPP leader Weber: “Europe must now become a military power”

EPP leader Manfred Weber is calling for greater European responsibility in security policy just before the EU summit in Brussels."I want the transatlantic partnership. But I finally want us Europeans to be independent, self-confident, and able to defend ourselves. And that means: Europe must now become a military power," he said in the "Berlin Playbook Podcast" of the news magazine POLITICO.

He therefore has high hopes for Friedrich Merz's EU summit debut:"I want to start by saying that Berlin is back, that Friedrich Merz is demonstrating clear leadership, and that Europe is also waiting for German leadership," said Weber. Weber defended Merz's controversial"dirty work" statements: "You have to realize that Iran now has missiles that can reach Europe—not America. That's why I think they're doing a job for us."

3:37 p.m. – Kyiv confirms meeting between Zelensky and Trump in The Hague

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump met on the sidelines of the NATO summit. The meeting has begun, the Ukrainian presidential office announced. According to Kyiv, the talks were to address additional sanctions against Russia and the purchase of military equipment from the US.

3:22 PM – Sanchez: Spain's defense spending is"sufficient"

According to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spain will meet the new capability targets agreed upon at the summit. However, the current defense spending of two percent of gross domestic product (GDP) is"sufficient, realistic, and compatible with the welfare state." The Defense Ministry and the Army assume that the capabilities Spain has pledged can be achieved with 2.1 percent of GDP, he added.

3:14 PM – Merz: No one should dare to attack NATO

Chancellor Merz recounts his remarks at the summit."Please, no one should dare to attack NATO, anywhere," he said. He also referred to the German Armed Forces' Lithuania Brigade. The fact that there are differing views on Russia and not agreement on every issue has always been the case in NATO.

According to Merz, Russia is not strong enough to attack NATO"as a whole." However, the increase in military spending is intended to deter Russia from attacking even part of NATO.

In a conversation with US President Trump, he again advocated for the US to tighten its sanctions against Russia, Merz reports.

3:11 p.m. – Media report: Trump met with Zelensky

According to the Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne, US President Trump met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague. No statements from the two heads of state have been received yet.

3:05 p.m. – Merz praises Rutte’s “diplomatic skills”

Chancellor Friedrich Merz now speaks. He calls the decision to increase defense spending a"sign of unity." And he praises Mark Rutte: "The diplomatic skills of Secretary General Mark Rutte made this success possible in the first place."

Merz thanked the Americans for their "indispensable contribution" to alliance defense. He also reaffirmed his support for Ukraine, saying this was also a result of the summit. He said they stand unconditionally by the side of this"battered country."

2:46 PM – Rutte: “Now we roll up our sleeves”

At a press conference, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was visibly pleased that NATO members had agreed on the new spending target. He called it a"turning point." All NATO states have now reached the two percent target. 3.5 percent of economic output will now flow into the member states'"core defense capabilities," and 1.5 percent into investments to support defense capabilities. This will enable NATO to effectively deter aggression or defend itself should the alliance be attacked. Rutte called for the defense industry's capacities to be ramped up."We're now rolling up our sleeves and getting to work," he said.

In response to a question about the widely publicized text message the Dutchman sent to US President Donald Trump before the meeting in The Hague, Rutte said Trump was a"good friend." Would NATO countries have reached the old two percent target without the US president's pressure? Rutte considers this to be Trump's achievement."I think that deserves every praise," he said.

2:38 p.m. –"Abomination" – Iran criticizes Rutte's praise for US attacks

Iran reacted angrily to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's praise of US President Donald Trump for the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities."It is a disgrace, an abomination, and irresponsible for the NATO Secretary General to congratulate a 'truly extraordinary' criminal act of aggression against a sovereign state," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai wrote on Platform X."Those who condone injustice lack integrity. Those who support a crime are considered accomplices."

2:15 p.m. – NATO adopts five percent target

Under the pressure of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and at the urging of US President Trump, NATO has agreed to a massive increase in defense spending. Each alliance partner commits to investing five percent of its gross domestic product annually in defense and security, starting no later than 2035, according to the agreed final declaration of the NATO summit in The Hague. Accordingly, 3.5 percent of GDP is to flow directly into defense and 1.5 percent into defense-related infrastructure.

In return for the five percent pledge, the allies now expect Trump to leave no doubt that, even under his leadership, the US will remain committed to the mutual assistance obligation under Article 5 of the NATO Treaty. This means the agreement that an alliance partner can count on the support of the allies in the event of an attack, and that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

The summit declaration states: “We, the Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Alliance, have met in The Hague to reaffirm our commitment to NATO, the strongest alliance in history, and to the transatlantic bond.” We remain united and determined to protect the one billion citizens in the Alliance territory.

1:41 PM – Trump compares Iran attack to Hiroshima

US President Donald Trump's press conference also addressed the US attack on Iran's nuclear program over the weekend. The Republican, with a penchant for exaggeration, drew a historical comparison. In 1945, he said, it was the US atomic bombs on Japan that ended World War II—now, virtually the same thing has happened.

During its intervention in the war between Israel and Iran, the United States dropped bunker-busting bombs on Iran's underground nuclear facilities, among other things. The facilities were severely damaged, as Tehran has since confirmed. Unlike World War II, which raged from 1939 to 1945, the attacks between Iran and Israel lasted twelve days after Israel's first strike. The ceasefire went into effect on Tuesday morning.

1:34 p.m. – Climate activists attempt to occupy city highway – police use batons

According to police, several dozen demonstrators from the organization Extinction Rebellion gathered near the A12 urban highway in the center of The Hague. Police officers stopped demonstrators at several locations. The protests are about eight kilometers from the conference center, where the NATO summit is currently taking place. According to reporters, isolated clashes broke out during the police operation. Police used batons. Demonstrators played music and sang songs calling for peace in the Gaza Strip and climate protection.

13:06 – Estonia reports airspace violation by Russian aircraft

Estonia has reported a violation of its airspace by a Russian transport aircraft. The IL-76 aircraft of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry entered Estonian airspace without permission near the Baltic Sea island of Vaindloo on Sunday morning and remained there for approximately four minutes, the Estonian Army reported in Tallinn.

The aircraft had apparently switched on its electronic identification and communicated a flight plan. However, the pilot was not maintaining radio contact with air traffic control at the time of the violation, the statement said. The plane then flew into Russian airspace. According to a statement, the Foreign Ministry in Tallinn summoned the charge d'affaires of the Russian embassy regarding the incident and submitted a note. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna spoke of an"extremely serious and regrettable incident" for which Estonia expects an explanation from Russia. According to the army, this was the second airspace violation by Russia this year.

12:32 p.m. – Orbán contradicts Merz: Russia is not a serious threat

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán doubts the warnings of European partners about the danger of a Russian attack on NATO territory by the end of the decade."I believe Russia is not strong enough to pose a real threat to us. We are far stronger," said Orbán, who continues to maintain relatively close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin even after the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

11:39 a.m. – Heads of state and government meet for a group photo

10:56 a.m. – Trump commits to NATO Article 5

US President Donald Trump reaffirms US support for the transatlantic military alliance. Asked about Article 5 of the alliance's mutual assistance pledge, Trump stated at a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte:"We stand fully behind them." NATO will be "very strong."

Rutte praised Trump for persuading NATO countries to increase defense spending and called the US president a "man of strength and peace." Trump himself spoke of a "great victory for all." Article 5 of the NATO treaty obligates all member states to provide military assistance in the event of an attack on an alliance partner.

10:45 a.m. – Germany buys F-35 cruise missiles with Norway

The Ministry of Defense is jointly purchasing new cruise missiles for the Bundeswehr's future F-35 stealth jets with Norway. A bilateral agreement on the approximately €677 million deal was signed in The Hague. Both countries are procuring the weapons jointly."This agreement implements our common goal in Europe and NATO: joint procurement to reduce time, bureaucracy, and costs," said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) after the signing. This will ensure that the Bundeswehr receives the first cruise missiles before the end of 2027.

10:35 a.m. – Merz: Russia threatens Europe's"entire political order"

In light of the planned massive increase in defense spending by NATO countries, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has again warned of the threat posed by Russia."Russia is not just threatening Ukraine; Russia is threatening the entire peace and political order of our continent," Merz said on the sidelines of the NATO summit. The NATO partners have"unanimously" stated "that the threat situation has changed, and the threat is primarily Russia," he added.

10:19 a.m. – Trump impressed by the Dutch royal couple

"The day begins in the beautiful Netherlands," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Trump spent the night at the royal palace, Huis ten Bosch (without his wife Melania, who did not travel with him), and had breakfast with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima that morning."The King and Queen are beautiful and spectacular people. Our breakfast meeting was magnificent!" he praised his hosts.

Whether the royal couple enjoyed it as much was not immediately known. The day before, it was reported that the US President had been welcomed with"great pleasure." The fact that the US President was allowed to stay overnight in the palace is a very great honor. While it does happen from time to time that high-ranking state guests are allowed to stay overnight in the palace, they usually stay in the palace in Amsterdam rather than in the residential palace in the city forest of The Hague. A celebratory dinner with the heads of state and government was held there the evening before to mark the start of the NATO summit.

08:55 – Spain does not expect consequences if target is missed

Spain does not expect any consequences for its refusal to meet NATO's spending target of five percent of GDP. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo declared,"Spain will be a responsible ally." He told Bloomberg TV that Spain will keep all its commitments regarding military capabilities.

08:35 – Rutte sees “no alternative” to the five percent target

Secretary General Mark Rutte reiterated the need for a massive increase in defense spending by allies. In light of the threat from Russia and the international security situation, NATO partners are"firmly convinced" that there is "no alternative" to the five percent target, Rutte said on the sidelines of the summit."We really have to do this," he emphasized.

07:40 – Weber criticizes Spain over defense spending

The leader of the conservative European People's Party (EPP), Manfred Weber, joins in the criticism of Spain's stance on increased defense spending."The Spanish government's behavior is unacceptable," the CSU politician told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper."Pedro Sanchez, the social democratic Spanish Prime Minister, is putting his own political survival, which is threatened by a corruption scandal, above European stability and security," criticized the EPP group leader in the EU Parliament.

Before arriving at the NATO summit, US President Donald Trump had repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with Spain. Speaking to journalists on the flight from Washington to Europe, he said that Spain's actions regarding defense spending were"unfair" to the others.

07:31 – Great Britain wants to buy nuclear-capable fighter jets

The British government announces its decision to purchase state-of-the-art fighter jets from the United States to strengthen its nuclear deterrent. The order includes at least twelve F-35A aircraft capable of delivering nuclear bombs. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the British decision as an important contribution to the transatlantic military alliance's nuclear deterrent.

After the end of the Cold War, Britain had curtailed the strategic role of the Royal Air Force and relied solely on its submarine fleet for nuclear deterrence. The current about-turn marks the most significant strengthening of the deterrence program in decades, the government in London announced."In times of radical uncertainty, we can no longer take peace for granted, which is why my government is investing in our national security," Prime Minister Keir Starmer was quoted as saying in the statement.

The fighter jets, estimated at a unit price of around 80 million US dollars (equivalent to 70 million euros), are part of a long-planned mass order for 138 F-35 jets. What's new is that a dozen of these aircraft will now also be capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The British Guardian reports that the order involves equipping them with US B61-12 atomic bombs, whose destructive power is three times greater than that of the bombs dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima in August 1945.