US President Donald Trump has said there are “multiple definitions” of Article 5 of the NATO collective defence treaty.
Trump was speaking to reporters on his way to a NATO summit in the Netherlands that aims to signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that NATO is the only one.
“Depends on your definition. There are many definitions of Article Five,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked if he was committed to NATO’s core obligation to defend any member country under attack.
“I’m committed to saving lives. I’m committed to life and security. And I’ll give you a precise definition when I get there,” the US president added.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, commenting on the statement, said he had no doubts about US loyalty to the alliance and Article 5, which stipulates that an armed attack on one NATO member is an attack on all.
Trump has repeatedly questioned NATO’s founding principle. Last year, before his election as US president, he suggested he would encourage Russia to attack NATO members who do not comply with defence payments. “I said, ‘you haven’t paid? Are you a violator? “He said,” Yes, let’s assume that’s what happened.” No, I wouldn’t defend you. In fact, I would advise them to do whatever they want. You have to pay,” Trump said in February 2024.
A year later, in February 2025, President Trump was already saying he supported NATO’s Article 5, but it would not be needed.
Trump has criticised the NATO alliance for years, accusing European allies of wasting US defence spending and even raising the issue of a US withdrawal.
He has demanded that allies spend up to 5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, a huge jump from the 2 per cent target set back in 2014.
The draft communiqué of the current summit in The Hague reaffirms commitment to the commitments made under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which treats an attack on one ally by others as an attack on all.
“We remain steadfast in our resolve to protect our one billion citizens, defend the Alliance and safeguard our freedom and democracy,” the document says.