The 32 leaders endorsed a final summit statement saying: “Allies commit to invest five per cent of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence – and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations.” The show of unity vindicated NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s billing of the summit as “transformational”, even though it papered over divisions. Trump called the spending boost “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.”

Spain had already officially announced that it cannot meet the target, and others have voiced reservations, but the investment pledge includes a review of spending in 2029 – after the next US presidential elections – to monitor progress and reassess the security threat posed by Russia. The leaders also underlined their “ironclad commitment” to NATO’s collective security guarantee – “that an attack on one is an attack on all”. Ahead of the summit, Trump had again raised doubts over whether the United States would defend its allies. (Jamaica Gleaner)