The Dutch Prime Minister Confirmed Trump’s Intention to Attend the NATO Summit in The Hague
In important political news concerning upcoming international security meetings, there have been confirmations regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans to attend the alliance’s main event — the NATO summit scheduled for June 24–25 in The Hague, Netherlands. This information was announced by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during a press briefing, citing his own telephone conversation with U.S. President. According to the interlocutor, Trump’s confirmation of his presence in The Hague holds particular significance for the security community. "His attendance is extremely important," said Rutte. He recalled that on the eve of the Brussels meeting, the Prime Minister met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, where they discussed preparations for the summit and expectations regarding the U.S. role in these events. Despite the Dutch Prime Minister’s public statement, neither the White House nor NATO headquarters have officially confirmed this information — questions remain unanswered. Nevertheless, Mark Rutte emphasized that, despite some uncertainty, he and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expect Trump to be present at the summit from the very beginning. This underscores the importance of the event for the United States and their strategic stance within the alliance. Additionally, it is worth noting that the key forum will take place in The Hague — the birthplace of the current Prime Minister, Mark Rutte. This will be the first multilateral gathering of such level in recent times, bringing together international leaders. The agenda includes discussions on new targets for NATO funding — in particular, increasing allied defense spending to a minimum of 2% of GDP, and concluding the process of fulfilling financial commitments. During the press conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg proudly stated that NATO member countries have already made significant progress in meeting the United States’ demand for defense spending — increasing from 1.5% to approximately 2%, aligning with modern standards and commitments. At the same time, the primary focus of this year’s meeting will be strengthening military support for Ukraine — according to Stoltenberg, the alliance’s goal is to create the best possible conditions for Ukrainian resistance and long-term peace in the region. The situation regarding Ukraine’s participation in the summit remains unresolved. Previous reports suggested possible opposition from the American administration concerning the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but later statements clarified that Washington has no objections to Ukraine’s participation. Dutch Foreign Minister Kasja Ollongren noted that the issue will be decided directly by Secretary General Rutte, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured that Washington supports the invitation. Overall, the prospects for Zelensky’s participation in the summit remain open, and the high-level negotiations and strategic decisions to be made in The Hague could influence the future security situation in Europe and globally. This year’s NATO summit promises to be an important platform not only for discussing military expenditures and security guarantees but also for engaging with Ukraine and other partners seeking to strengthen their defenses and garner international support in facing current challenges.