NATO's number one praised Trump for getting countries to increase defense spending

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised the President of the United States, Donald Trump, for driving a significant increase in defense spending by European countries.

In private messages that Trump posted on his Truth Social network, Rutte congratulated the U.S. leader for having achieved that the members of NATO committed to a new defense spending target equivalent to 5% of GDP (gross domestic product) by 2035, compared to the traditional 2% target.

Rutte described the achievement as a historic milestone: "Donald, you've led Europe and America, and the world, to a truly important moment," he wrote. "You've achieved something that no U.S. president has been able to accomplish in decades."

He also highlighted Trump's "decisive" action in Iran, which he described as "extraordinary" and courageous. Trump shared these messages during his trip to The Hague to attend NATO's annual summit.

The announcement of the new 5% target has caused tensions within the alliance, especially with Spain, which has rejected the goal and has negotiated an exemption. The leftist Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez, considers the target "unnecessary" and has proposed to reach the capabilities required by NATO with spending equivalent to 2.1% of GDP (gross domestic product).

Rutte questioned these calculations, pointing out that, according to NATO's own estimates, Spain would need to spend at least 3.5% to meet the standards.

Other countries such as Slovakia have also expressed reservations, stating that they reserve the right to decide how they'll reach the defense targets. Despite these tensions, major European powers such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as the Netherlands, have backed the new target.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed his support for the 5% target and warned that failing to reach it would send a "very negative signal."

Trump's leadership has been essential in this change. For years, he has demanded that European allies increase their defense spending so they won't depend so much on the United States. His insistence has led to this proposed increase, which seeks to strengthen Europe's defensive autonomy within the NATO framework.

However, Trump maintained an ambiguous tone regarding NATO's mutual defense clause, Article 5, which stipulates that an attack on one member is an attack on all. "It depends on your definition," he replied when asked if the United States would fulfill that obligation. Although he assured that he's committed to the alliance and that he's established good relationships with several European leaders. 

Rutte tried to calm tensions before Trump's arrival in The Hague, stating that the U.S. president is fully committed to NATO, but that he expects reciprocity from Europe through a substantial increase in military spending. He also noted that European concern about a possible U.S. withdrawal is unfounded if financial commitments are met.