NATO’s most expensive summit begins in The Hague today — what it means for Ukraine
The Hague will host a two-day NATO leaders’ summit on June 24–25, the first under new Secretary General Mark Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister. While the summit was initially expected to focus on defense spending and unity within the alliance, Western media suggest the spotlight may shift toward the escalating Middle East conflict, following recent U.S. strikes on Iran ordered by President Donald Trump.
According to Reuters, the summit was meant to produce a joint declaration committing member states to increase annual defense and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035—reportedly aimed at appeasing Trump’s demands. However, the fallout from the U.S.-Iran strikes is now expected to dominate discussions.
Still, the meeting of leaders from all 32 NATO countries is also designed to "signal unity to Vladimir Putin despite Trump’s past criticism of the alliance,” and to “expand and modernize NATO’s defenses to deter any future Russian aggression,” Reuters reported.
Politico notes that Ukraine is likely to receive a colder reception at this summit. With U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict growing, Kyiv's hopes for renewed Western commitments and Trump’s attention have dimmed.
Observers also do not expect a breakthrough for Ukraine’s NATO membership bid. “It’s not on the agenda, and no one has expressed expectations of an invitation in The Hague—nor have we heard this from the Ukrainians,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said.
Although the Netherlands is one of NATO’s 12 founding members, this marks the first time it is hosting a summit of allied heads of state and government. The agenda includes events for foreign and defense ministers, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to attend alongside Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Sybiha and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, according to Interfax-Ukraine.
Zelenskyy had delayed confirming his trip, stating that it was not contingent on a possible meeting with Trump. “I’m still not sure I’ll go, though the chances are high,” he said earlier. “I’ll decide the day before. I do want to hold several meetings, and I’ve received invitations from the King and the Prime Minister [of the Netherlands].”
The final summit communiqué will name Russia as a “long-term threat,” according to public broadcaster Suspilne. Terrorism will be listed as NATO’s second most pressing threat. Ukraine will also be mentioned in the document, which was finalized following consultations with member states and signed off by Secretary General Rutte.
Dutch outlet AD estimates this will be the most expensive NATO summit in history, with a total cost of €183.4 million (approximately $196 million). Given the actual summit lasts less than 24 hours, that breaks down to more than €1 million ($1.07 million) per minute.
These costs are driven largely by record-setting security measures under Operation Orange Shield. Parts of The Hague will be locked down, roads closed, and airspace shut. Around 27,000 police officers—roughly half of the Netherlands’ police force—will be deployed alongside more than 10,000 military personnel.
F-35 fighter jets and Apache helicopters will patrol the skies, while frigates will monitor the North Sea. Air defense systems are on high alert, and bomb disposal teams are sweeping the area. Drone use will be prohibited for civilians, but law enforcement and the military will use UAVs for aerial surveillance.
On the first day, June 24, the NATO Public Forum will take place, featuring an address by Secretary General Rutte. Later that day, the NATO Defense Industry Forum will hold its plenary session.
That evening, at 7:00 p.m., a working dinner of the NATO-Ukraine Council will be held under the leadership of NATO’s deputy secretary general. Simultaneously, NATO defense ministers will gather for their own working dinner, chaired by the Dutch defense minister.
At the same time, heads of state and government and their spouses will begin arriving at the Huis ten Bosch Palace for a royal dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. President Zelenskyy is expected to attend, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
The official summit concludes on June 25 with the North Atlantic Council meeting of heads of state and government, chaired by Rutte, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. The final press conference is set for 2:00 p.m.
Leaders will gather at the World Forum in The Hague for the council session, which is expected to last two and a half hours.
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