Trump to join NATO leaders in The Hague amid rising global tensions
President Donald Trump is gearing up for a week of foreign policy discussions at the NATO summit in The Hague. The summit, set to begin on Wednesday, will see Trump engaging with various foreign leaders on a range of issues beyond just Ukraine.
According to a senior Trump official, the President still plans to attend the summit despite a slight schedule change. Originally scheduled to depart on Monday, Trump will now leave for the Netherlands on Tuesday, arriving late in the evening.
The focus of the summit is expected to be on a variety of topics, including Trump’s recent decision to involve the United States in Israel’s campaign in the Middle East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also be in attendance, with discussions on ongoing assistance to Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia.
However, the primary issue likely to dominate the summit is the escalating tensions with Iran. Trump’s recent decision to strike Iran with dozens of bombs in an effort to dismantle their nuclear infrastructure will undoubtedly be a key topic of conversation among leaders.
Additionally, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s proposal that member countries contribute at least 5% of their GDP to defense spending is expected to be discussed. While framed as a win for Trump, the idea has faced pushback from some member countries, including Spain.
The summit is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, after which Trump will return to Washington. Security is expected to be tight, with protests already underway in anticipation of the summit.
Overall, the NATO summit promises to be a crucial gathering of world leaders, with a focus on a wide range of global issues that will shape the future of international relations.
