The Hague: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the United States is “fully committed” to Article 5 of the NATO charter, which stipulates collective defense, following remarks by US President Donald Trump that seemed to question this commitment. “For me, it is absolutely clear that the United States is fully committed to NATO, and fully committed to Article 5,” Rutte told reporters ahead of the NATO leaders’ summit.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Rutte emphasized the necessity of increased defense spending due to ongoing threats from Russia. He stated that the long-term threat from Russia, coupled with the military buildup in China and support from North Korea, China, and Iran for Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, necessitates higher defense expenditures. This issue is expected to be a primary focus at the NATO summit.

Rutte also mentioned the role of American bombs in neutralizing Iran’s nuclear facilities, referring to a recent attack. His comments came after Trump once again caused confusion among NATO allies with his ambiguous statements about their commitment to mutual defense, suggesting that Article 5 “can be interpreted in many ways.” Article 5 is a cornerstone of the NATO alliance, establishing the principle of collective defense among member states.

During the summit in The Hague, where Trump was present, NATO member states are expected to pledge increased defense spending in response to Trump’s demands. The US president has insisted that member countries allocate at least 5% of their gross domestic product to security spending by 2035, threatening to withhold defense support from those who fail to meet this target. In return for this commitment, European NATO countries are seeking a firm defensive assurance from Washington in line with Article 5 of the NATO Charter.