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Reporter Liao Zijie/Comprehensive Report The annual NATO summit is set to take place on the 24th in The Hague, Netherlands. This marks the first time the Netherlands is hosting a NATO summit. On the 13th, the Netherlands and Sweden jointly announced their intention to raise their defense spending to 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to address the rapidly changing international situation and the global security threats posed by Russia.

NATO Secretary General and former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte held a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm on the 12th, where they announced that Sweden and the Netherlands would increase their defense budgets to 5% of GDP. Of this budget, 3.5% will be allocated directly to core defense needs, while 1.5% will be allocated for strengthening critical infrastructure and other security-related investments. This decision aims to effectively respond to the current rapidly changing international environment and the tangible threat of Russian expansion.

Rutte emphasized at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NPA) on the 26th of last month that the alliance would create updated standards for defense spending, urging member states to raise their defense budgets to 5% of GDP. He plans to reach a consensus at the upcoming NATO summit at the end of the month to strengthen responses to threats posed by Russia and other geopolitical security issues.

As the host of this year's NATO summit, the Netherlands, along with Sweden, is responding to the call to increase defense spending. This not only encourages member countries to meet the new standard but also demonstrates to the previous Trump administration in the United States that European nations are committed to taking on greater responsibility for their own security.

During the press conference, Kristersson (right) and Rutte announced that defense spending for Sweden and the Netherlands will be increased to 5% of GDP, strengthening their response to geopolitical security threats.