Overview

• Allies confirmed the Hague pledge to reach defence spending of 5% of GDP by 2035, split between 3.5% direct investment and 1.5% related outlays.
• Operation Centinela Oriental began to strengthen surveillance on the eastern flank after Russian fighter and drone incursions over Estonia and Poland.
• Ministers urged participation in the PURL channel to buy US weapons for transfer to Ukraine, with about $2 billion already procured by Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
• NATO said its response to airspace violations prioritizes guiding aircraft out unless they pose a clear threat, with shootdowns reserved for real danger.
• Rutte highlighted allied unanimity as Spain countered President Trump’s criticism, with Madrid stressing its NATO commitment and 2025 spending at 2% of GDP.