The UK will sign a NATO agreement to increase defense spending to 3. 5% of GDP by 2035, which will increase arms spending by $40.5 billion. The Prime Minister has agreed to increase rearmament funding to 3%.
The Alliance seeks to fill a key gap in response to the threat of Russian aggression. Defense ministers of member states will discuss this issue in Brussels.
A Ukrainian government delegation has arrived in Washington for talks. The priorities are strengthening sanctions against Russia, returning stolen children, and launching an investment fund for reconstruction.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte invited the Ukrainian delegation to the Alliance summit. Zelenskyy stressed the importance of Ukraine's participation in the summit, where long-range capabilities will be discussed.
The President of Ukraine and the Secretary General of NATO discussed increasing pressure on Russia and preparations for the NATO Summit in The Hague. Zelenskyy stressed the importance of Ukraine's representation at the summit.
The NATO Summit should send a clear signal of support for Ukraine and renew commitments to collective defense. Lithuania will increase defense spending to 5% of GDP in 2026.
Putin has no veto power over NATO decisions. It is important to reaffirm that the Alliance is strong and Europe will not renounce its security.
NATO Secretary General stated that peace is impossible without lasting security for Ukraine. Support for Ukraine to win the war will be discussed at the summit in Vilnius.
The Bucharest Nine summit will discuss providing Ukraine with everything it needs to fight. The Russian Federation is a long-term threat to NATO, so it is important to make the necessary decisions.
France has begun a large-scale reconstruction of the Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur airbase worth $1. 7 billion. This is being done to accommodate the latest Rafale fighters and ASN4G missiles with nuclear capabilities.
Zelenskyy stated that if Ukraine is not present at the NATO summit in The Hague, it will be a victory for Putin over the Alliance. The summit may take place without mentioning Ukraine due to the complex relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy.
Mark Rutte wants to hold a short NATO summit without divisions among members due to Trump and Zelensky. The US may cut support for Ukraine, complicating the situation at the summit.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that allies should increase investments in the defense industry to support Ukraine and guarantee lasting peace in Europe. Arms production is a key issue.
The NATO Secretary General stated that the Alliance will continue to support Ukraine so that it can defend itself now and prevent aggression in the future. Allies have already provided more than 20 billion euros in aid.
Mark Rutte emphasized the need to increase defense spending and weapons production to counter threats. Allies need to invest more to achieve their goals.
The NATO summit has been shortened to two days, and the final declaration may not contain any mention of Ukraine and Russia. The question of inviting Zelensky remains open.
Donald Trump plans to attend the NATO summit in The Hague, according to the Dutch Prime Minister. The summit will focus on increasing Alliance members' spending on military needs.
The United States of America is calling on the North Atlantic Alliance to develop specific measures to achieve the target defense spending of 5% of output. Special attention should be paid to the development of "hard defense capabilities".
NATO Secretary General Rutte announced a conversation with Zelenskyy about efforts to ensure peace. They also discussed NATO support so that Ukraine could defend itself.
The NATO Secretary General stated the difficulty of predicting the end of the war, but emphasized the importance of ensuring Ukraine's defense capability after the conclusion of peace. This is necessary to avoid a repeat of the 2014 scenario.
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob has called for an expansion of the definition of defense spending in NATO. He believes that this will help meet US requirements to increase security spending.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, discussing support, strengthening air defense, and investments in drone production. He also held talks with the leaders of Denmark, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Sweden.
At the talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation discussed the possibility of a meeting between Zelensky and Putin. It is at such a meeting that an agreement on a ceasefire can be reached.
NATO defense ministers will meet at NATO headquarters in Brussels on June 5, 2025. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will chair the meeting.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Putin must take the peace process seriously and start "playing by the rules". He also criticized the sending of a low-level delegation to the negotiations.
The Dutch Foreign Minister stated that the decision on inviting Zelenskyy to the NATO summit in The Hague will be made by the Secretary General of the Alliance. The United States is against the invitation.
The Ukrainian delegation is already in Ankara for Zelenskyy's negotiations with Erdogan. Putin is avoiding the meeting, so the Ukrainian side is focused on the meeting with the President of Turkey.
NATO Secretary General declared "cautious optimism" regarding the progress of peace in Ukraine. According to him, Russia must take the necessary steps for a breakthrough.
Andriy Sybiha met with Mark Rutte, discussing Russia's refusal to cease fire and agreed on efforts to advance the peace process. Zelensky confirmed his visit to Turkey on May 15.
NATO negotiators aim to reach 5% of GDP on defense by 2032 to soften Trump's demands. Ministers will discuss this in Antalya amid efforts to end the war in Ukraine.