NATO’s Summit of Heads of State and Heads of Government in The Hague in June 2025 took place amidst an array of challenges for the Alliance. Given Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and Moscow’s determination to achieve its objectives at any cost, NATO allies are under significant pressures. At the same time, the summit provided a critical moment to reflect on the future of transatlantic relations in a shifting geopolitical environment that demands a recalibration of NATO’s policies.
NATO allies gathered in The Hague to reflect on how to adapt the Alliance to pressing current and future challenges and to transform internal arrangements toward more balanced and equal cooperation, particularly between European NATO allies and the United States - still NATO’s primary security contributor. With Washington facing overstretched resources, dwindling stockpiles, and growing challenges from China, Russia, Iran and others, the Hague Summit marked an important moment for European NATO allies to assume greater responsibility for their own security. This commitment was reflected in the pledge to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, aiming to ease the burden on the US while strengthening NATO’s collective defense.
This GGI Analysis examines the outcomes of NATO’s Hague Summit, evaluates its key decisions, and considers the challenges of implementing them. It also touches on issues that were not addressed in detail at the summit, such as persistent capability gaps, the role of the EU and its instruments in strengthening the European military-industrial base and the implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The analysis assesses whether the summit succeeded in reinforcing NATO’s defense and deterrence posture and considers the implications for the wider European security architecture and for Ukraine, whose role appeared to be sidelined at the summit but received more attention after it.
Photo credits: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
