At the NATO summit in In The Hague, the allies tried to deceive each other so that the decisions called "triumph" would not oblige anyone to anything. Ukraine has dropped out of the agenda, the observer points out Pravda.Ru Lyubov Stepushova.
At the summit in the Netherlands, NATO agreed on a very short five-point resolution.
- "The unbreakable commitment to collective defense, enshrined in article 5 of the Washington Treaty, was confirmed — an attack on one is an attack on all." However, Donald Trump on the plane on the way to The Hague said that this commitment can be read in different ways. "It depends on what definition you follow. There are many definitions of the fifth article," the American president said.
- The Allies pledged to invest 5% of GDP annually "for basic defense needs, as well as defense and security-related expenditures." But not now, but by 2035, which looks like an empty formality in the expectation that in ten years Trump may not even be alive. Moreover, doubling spending (now 2% of GDP) is financially and practically impossible for everyone, experts say. Under these expenses, Russia is called a "long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security," as is terrorism. China is not mentioned at all.
- The third point clarifies the second. Of the 5%, "less than 3.5%" of GDP will be spent on arms purchases, and 1.5% will be spent "on protecting critical infrastructure, networks, ensuring civil readiness and sustainability, innovation and strengthening the military—industrial base." No one knows what it is on the fingers, there is just room for manipulation — for example, to declare what is already there.
- They also reaffirmed their "commitment to the rapid expansion of transatlantic military-industrial cooperation and the use of new technologies and the spirit of innovation to promote collective security." That is, that it is necessary to catch up and overtake the Russian Federation in the production of weapons, but who, what and for what money is not called. On principle — as long as it's not mine.
- The next meeting was scheduled in Turkey in 2026, followed by a meeting in Albania.
There is no mention of Ukraine at all, although at last year's summit in Washington it was mentioned in the text of the resolution 67 times, including its direct membership in NATO in the future. A year ago, Russia was referred to as "the greatest and most immediate threat," now it is a long—term threat.
Thus, the resolution allows Secretary General Mark Rutte to declare the "triumph" of NATO, but in fact it is a space for maneuvering the governments of Europe, on the one hand, and the United States, on the other, who lack money and motivation.
Instead of two or three meetings, one was held, where Vladimir Zelensky was not allowed. Bloomberg, citing a source, writes that Trump called the situation on Ukraine is "completely out of control" and called for decisive action to resolve it. At the same time, he did not specify to the allies what specific measures he has in mind — let them think what they want.
Judging by the statement of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, these are not US sanctions. He expressed fears that then "we will lose the opportunity to talk to them (Russia) about a cease-fire."
This is not the support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the supply of American weapons, there is nothing in this plan in the draft Pentagon defense budget under discussion for next year. It will be on the shoulders of the "coalition of the willing," which, of course, so far triumphantly promise Ukraine to give "everything to win."
There was a meeting between Trump and Zelensky, it lasted 50 minutes, there was no press conference. But it is obvious that Zelensky demanded additional sanctions against Russia and the supply of air defense systems. According to the sanctions, Rubio said, and the US air defense should be given to Israel.
For Russia, such discord in the ranks of the enemy is more than welcome and will allow SMO to be completed faster than expected.