NATO members relieved as summit concludes with no hiccups

Comittment still in doubt

But these dramatic increases in European defence budgets, which have been made in response to the mounting threat posed to European security by Russia under President Vladimir Putin, have not prevented senior members of the Trump administration from continuing to criticise Europe's defence capabilities, and openly question whether it is worth it for the US to retain its NATO membership.

European leaders were particularly taken aback in February when Pete Hegseth, in one of his first public pronouncements after becoming Trump's defence secretary, stated bluntly that they could no longer rely on the US to guarantee their security.

Speaking at a security conference in Germany, Hegseth said that he wanted "to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe".

Hesgeth's comments were echoed in April by US Vice President JD Vance, who warned that Europe needed to change from being "a permanent security vassal of the United States."

Read more: Vance leaves Europe gobsmacked

The mounting criticism of Europe came as Trump called for all NATO countries to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP—a significant increase from its previous 2% level. And, such is the impact Trump's constant hectoring of Europe has had, that by the time NATO leaders arrived in The Hague this week to attend the annual summit, most countries had effectively signed up to Trump's demand, even though many of them will struggle to meet it.

A joint statement issued by the leaders of the 32-member alliance stated that "in the face of profound security threats and challenges, in particular the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security and the persistent threat of terrorism, allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence-and security-related spending by 2035."

'Thank you, daddy'

As if to underline Europe's determination to ensure the Trump administration's continued membership in the alliance, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte embarked on a bizarre charm offensive aimed directly at the US president, praising Trump— who he referred to as "daddy"—for his recent efforts to implement a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Describing Trump as "a man of strength" and a "man of peace", Rutte credited him for securing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

Trump had earlier compared Israel and Iran to "two kids in a school yard" fighting, saying: "They fight like hell. You can't stop them. Let them fight for about two or three minutes. Then it's easier to stop them." Rutte remarked: "Then daddy has to sometimes use strong language."

The combination of European leaders agreeing to a significant increase in their defence spending, together with Rutte's grovelling charm offensive, certainly appears to have persuaded Trump to adopt a less confrontational attitude towards his NATO allies, even if concerns persist within European capitals about the strength of Washington's enduring commitment to the alliance.

There was consternation in many European capitals, for example, on the eve of the summit when Trump appeared to question the alliance's core collective defence promise under Article 5 of the NATO charter, which decrees that all member states must come to the defence of any other member who comes under attack. The Article 5 doctrine was famously implemented in the wake of the September 11 attacks in 2001.

In remarks made to reporters travelling on Air Force One ahead of the summit, Trump appeared to query Washington's requirement under the Article 5 clause.

"Depends on your definition. There are numerous definitions of Article 5. You know that, right? But I'm committed to being their friend."

Collective sigh of relief

Fortunately for the Europeans, the summit concluded with NATO leaders reaffirming their "ironclad commitment" to the principle that an attack on one NATO member would prompt a response from the entire alliance. However, the statement did not include a condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as it had a year ago.

The statement followed Trump's praise for European leaders agreeing to fund significant increases in defence spending, which he described as a "big win for Europe and... Western civilisation".

Trump certainly appeared pleased with the summit's outcome, remarking that, "When I came here, I came here because it was something I'm supposed to be doing, but I left here a little bit different, differently. I watched the heads of these countries get up, and the love and the passion that they showed for their country was unbelievable."

Referring to the collective decision to raise defence spending, he said it was "something that no one really thought possible. And they said: 'You did it, sir, you did it'. Well, I don't know if I did it ... but I think I did."

As Air Force One took off for Trump's return flight to Washington, there was a collective sigh of relief among European leaders that they had managed, for the moment at least, to reduce tensions between Washington and its European allies. However, it remains to be seen whether they have done enough to ensure that the Trump administration remains committed to Europe's defence in the event of another major conflict in Europe.