The NATO Summit … ended before starting with Deal for Defense Expenditure – Central Person Trump

This year’s session NATO In The Hague it has given paradoxes. The present, ie the increase of defense spending Members of the alliance at 5% of GDP with a horizon in 2035 has been decided, with the only exception of Spain it has requested and achieved the given flexibility.

Also there is no session that lasts three hours practically, with the Secretary -General Mark Rutte Of course she organizes a series of side events from Monday. The reason for the drastic reduction of the duration of the session was clear: in order not to bored its absolute protagonist, the US president Donald Trump, who first pressed on European territory during his second term.

So far, Mr Trump had been enough to send his vice -president J. D. Vancewho practically “torpedo” the Munich security conference last February, causing turbulence with the “closure” of the eye in the alternative to Germany, in view of the German federal elections. This time, Donald Trump comes as a… peacemaker, Sweethearted for ‘European friends“And satisfied with the fact that NATO members consent to his old request to increase their participation in the common defense, with a goal that is more than double -doubling the existing 2%,

The ultimate protagonist of today’s day, the US president, pressed the Dutch ground last night, shortly after 8:30 pm and immediately headed from Amsterdam’s Siphol Airport at the Huis Den Bosch Palace. Without a wife, Mr. Trump is the only leader to be hosted by the Royal House by the King of the Netherlands William Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima.

Meetings and Article 5

There is no doubt that Trump will do ‘Demonstration of power » and the summit that begins with the leaders’ statements shortly after 10:00 am Greece and until 15:00 noon will be fully passed. Mr Trump is sought after for an appointment and is expected to see some leaders close, including his old acquaintance Tayyip Erdoganwith which yesterday they found themselves side by side in the family photo of the dinner. Also expected to see the Volodimir Zelenskiwho does not participate in the official part of the meeting, but will stay in The Hague for the tet-a-tete he has requested and succeeded with the US president. Some of the European leaders have already met Mr Trump, while in an interesting way next to him in yesterday The Italian prime minister sat down Georgiawhich has a close political and personal relationship with him.

Coming to the Summit, of course, and despite the… unhealthy peace in the Middle EastTrump was particularly discussed on his reference to Article 5 of the NATO constitution, that is, the joint defense clause in the event of an attack on a member of the Alliance. Asked if the US remains committed to Article 5, Mr Trump responded enigmatically. “It depends on the definition. There are several definitions of Article 5. But I am committed to being their friend and I am committed to saving lives. I am committed to life and security, “he told reporters who accompanied him, however, making it clear that he would give an accurate definition today to the meeting and not on the back of a plane.

The Greek stance

In this environment, Mr. Mitsotakis who also arrived in The Hague at night comes comfortably on the issue of increasing defense spending of the Member States of the Alliance. Mr Mitsotakis has long recognized the law of Mr Trump’s observation dating from the middle of his first term, although the war in Ukraine has changed the data in practice.

In his today’s intervention at the Summit, Mr Mitsotakis is expected to underline Greece’s stability and credibility as an ally, as he kept the NATO defense spending commitment (2% of GDP) even in the difficult years of the economic crisis, contributing significantly to the capacity of the world. Mr Mitsotakis will refer to recent developments in the Middle East, while stressing that Greece spends 3% of its GDP on defense as it faces multiple security challenges. And thus belongs to the hard core of the countries of the alliance that have exceeded the current 2% commitment and is in the 5th place of NATO countries in terms of defense spending on GDP. The prime minister is still mentioned in the country’s 12 -year equipment program of 25 billion euros.

Mr Mitsotakis is expected to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney On the sidelines, possibly with other leaders, although no official tet-a-tete is planned with Turkish President Erdogan.