Nato’s Defence Investment Milestones
Nato’s Mark Rutte highlighted significant progress following the 2025 summit in The Hague, where allies made a historic decision to increase defence investment to 5% of GDP. He noted that for the first time, all allies met the 2014 goal of investing at least 2% of their GDP on defence.
“For the first time, all allies met the goal agreed in 2014 to invest at least 2% of their GDP on defence,”
Rutte pointed out a 20% increase in defence spending by European allies and Canada in 2025 compared to 2024, emphasizing that continuing this trend remains a priority.
“Continuing this crucial trend will be a priority in the years to come,”he said.
He acknowledged that European allies and Canada had been overly reliant on US military strength but stressed a shift in mindset and collective responsibility for security.
“For too long, European allies and Canada were overreliant on US military might. We did not take enough responsibility for our own security. But there has been a real shift in mindset, a collective recognition of our changed security environment. And as a European, I am proud of what we are doing.”
Rutte Responds to Trump’s Criticism
During a Q&A, Rutte was frequently asked about former US President Donald Trump’s criticisms of Nato allies as “cowards” and his claims that the US would “remember” their refusal to assist on Iran. Rutte refrained from direct criticism of Trump.
“What I have been seeing is some frustration … about the Europeans needing to take time to react to his requests … and I said, hey, there is a reason for that. … For good reasons, the US was not able to consult with allies because they wanted to keep the campaign, secret again, for good reasons, to make sure that, nobody knew what happened on that Saturday morning.”
He added that many Europeans are now willing to collaborate on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.
When asked about the US-Nato relationship, Rutte praised Trump’s role in advancing defence commitments.
“Without the present administration in the United States and the present president, I don’t think you would ever have reached this commitment to spend 5% of our GDP on defence, including the 3.5% on core defence [either],”he stated.
He also commended Trump for initiating dialogue with Russia, despite current stalled negotiations.
“Trump 47”as he referred to him, was praised for “breaking the deadlock.”
Russia Remains a Dire Threat
Rutte emphasized the need for increased defence capabilities to address ongoing threats.
“Russia remains the most significant and dire threat to security in the Euro-Atlantic area,”he said, citing incidents such as airspace violations, sabotage, cyberattacks, and drone incursions over the past year.
Nato’s 2025 Annual Report
At Nato headquarters, Secretary General Mark Rutte presented the alliance’s 2025 annual report, highlighting the evolving global security environment and the alliance’s adaptation to remain prepared amid continued Russian aggression in Ukraine and reckless behaviour towards Nato.
EU Accuses Pornographic Platforms of Violating Child Protection Rules
In Brussels, the European Commission accused four pornographic platforms of allowing minors access to adult content, violating digital rules designed to protect children. The Commission’s preliminary findings indicated that these platforms failed to implement proper age verification, enabling minors to access content with a simple click confirming they are over 18, according to AFP.
EU technology spokesperson Thomas Regnier said:
“None of them have proper age verification measures in place. … The situation is quite terrible. … In France, from age 12, more than half of boys visit pornographic websites each month. In Ireland, more than 50% of boys first encountered pornography between the ages of 10 and 13. In Poland, one of the nine most popular platforms for kids aged 7 to 12 is one of these pornographic platforms.”
The Commission also launched an investigation into Snapchat over concerns about child protection on the platform.
European Parliament Advances EU-US Trade Deal with Safeguards
The European Parliament voted to advance the EU-US trade deal with conditions designed to prevent the Trump administration from undermining the agreement.
Lawmakers supported texts proposed by Bernd Lange, head of the European Parliament’s international trade committee, introducing safeguards to the deal signed last summer at Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland.
The deal, agreed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump, included a 15% US tariff on many European imports while maintaining 50% duties on steel and aluminium. The European Parliament, responsible for approving the lowering of EU tariffs, had previously paused the vote due to Trump’s threats to annex Greenland and a US Supreme Court ruling.
Bernd Lange stated:
“An agreement that we negotiate has commitments and safeguards and a dispute settlement mechanism … now all of that is not in the deal from Scotland.”
The Parliament voted to accept zero tariffs on US goods only if hundreds of European goods made with steel and aluminium are excluded from the 50% US tariff on those metals. European industry protested after the Trump administration introduced tariffs on a wide range of products, from wind turbines to furniture, fearing an expanding list.
Additional safeguards include revoking the EU’s zero tariffs if Trump imposes new trade measures against the EU and a sunset clause to end the agreement by 31 March 2028.
Lange’s amendments passed with 417 MEPs in favor, 154 against, and 71 abstentions. A radical left amendment to reject the deal failed.
Martin Schwirdan of Germany’s Die Linke criticized the deal as unfair and blackmailing, while Sophie Wilmès, vice-chair of the European Parliament’s US delegation, emphasized the need for European safeguards due to the US administration’s unpredictability.
“As the US administration lacks either the capacity or the willingness to guarantee even this minimum, it is up to us, Europeans, to put our own safeguards in place to protect ourselves from the chaos of US tariff policies, and even from certain threats.”
However, it remains uncertain if EU member states will accept these amendments amid ongoing threats from the Trump administration. Trump’s EU ambassador Andrew Pudzer warned the EU to implement the deal without amendments or risk losing favorable access to US liquefied natural gas shipments.
Zelenskyy Highlights Risks of Russian Oil and Gas Revenues
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned against allowing Russia to benefit from volatile oil and gas markets amid the Middle East crisis.
“We all know that, for Russia, money from oil and gas means more time for war,”he said, urging continued pressure on Russia’s tankers and shadow fleet in European waters.
“So please keep the pressure on Russia, its tankers and shadow fleet must not feel safe in European waters,”he added.
This concluded the public portion of the Joint Expeditionary Force meeting in Helsinki.
Zelenskyy Warns of Ongoing Threat from Russia
In a pre-recorded video, Zelenskyy addressed the need for defence cooperation, noting uncertainty about Russia’s future behaviour.
“We have an aggressive Russian regime next to us that has no intention of returning to a peaceful coexistence with its neighbours,”he warned.
Starmer on Ukraine Support and Russian Threat
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of strengthening support for Ukraine, including addressing the shadow fleet issue.
“We must keep strengthening our support for Ukraine,”he said, calling the shadow fleet agenda “really important.”
Starmer highlighted Ukraine’s recent territorial gains and the heavy toll imposed on Russian forces.
“The reality on the ground is that Ukraine is holding firm. They’ve taken back territory in recent weeks, and they’re imposing a terrible cost on the invaders. So whatever Putin may tell himself, after four years, the truth is that Russia is not winning. They won’t win. And they must stop blocking the path to a just and lasting peace.”
Growing Threat from Russia and Focus on Northern European Security
At the Helsinki working session on northern European security and Ukraine, Finland’s Alexander Stubb indicated discussions would cover Ukraine, Russia, the Arctic, the North Atlantic, and the Baltic region.
Starmer noted that despite global focus shifting to the Middle East, the Russian threat in the north and east has grown.
“The threat from Russia in the north and in the east has not gone away; in fact, in my view, that threat has grown.”
He also acknowledged Ukraine’s expertise in modern warfare, particularly in defending against Iranian drones, and praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people.
“Europe’s support for Ukraine is unshakeable.”
European Parliament Votes to Advance EU-US Tariff Deal
The European Parliament voted to advance the EU-US tariff deal with 417 votes in favor, 154 against, and 71 abstentions, with 642 MEPs present.
The timing of this vote coincides with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte’s media presentation of the alliance’s 2025 report, where he is expected to address Trump’s criticisms of Nato.
