NATO summit: Allies set to commit to doubling defense spending

NATO leaders are convening in The Hague for historic summit, where they are expected to pledge a significant increase in defense spending-reaching 5% of GDP by the year 2035. 

President Zoran Milanović is attending the summit, accompanied by Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić. The additional funding is slated for investment in enhancing military capabilities, including air defense systems, fighter jets, tanks, drones, and logistical support.

"Defense, modernization, equipment, and weapons are not mere expenditures. Unfortunately, they've too often been dismissed as frivolous spending. In reality, defense production is a robust, high-revenue industry. This presents an excellent opportunity for Croatia-and many other countries-to strengthen their economies through the defense and security sector,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić.

Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be participating in the NATO summit itself, he was invited. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reaffirmed the Alliance's strong and continued support for Ukraine.

"Over the last couple of weeks there have been constant attacks on innocent civilians living in cities, in communities in Ukraine, going about their daily lives and getting killed or seriously wounded because of these Russian drones. This is terrible. So, everybody is very motivated - I hear from all the allies -to keep you strong to keep you in the fight to bring this terrible war to a durable and lasting peace,” Rutte told Zelensyy as they stood side by side at a press conference.

"We still need air defense and we still have support in this direction from our partners and we really count on continuation and also coproduction and big military support,” said Zelenskyy, thanking Rutte for NATO’s support.

The two-day NATO summit begins tonight with a dinner and continues Wednesday with a working session.