NATO Summit in The Hague, a celebration in honor of Trump for the alliance's rescue

Donald Trump has fallen in love with NATO. Like most children raised in wealthy families, the American president enjoys parties, and Mark Rutte, the NATO Secretary-General, organized one in his honor.

It was majestic, with the American leader at the center of attention, while the European political elite surrounded him admiringly, praising him for the military operation against Iran and for the swift resolution of the conflict in the Middle East.

„Congratulations and thanks for your decisive action in Iran, it was truly extraordinary and something no one else dared to do. It makes us all feel safer,” wrote Mark Rutte, the NATO Secretary-General, to the American president shortly before he traveled to the North Atlantic Alliance meeting in The Hague.

Rutte sent a flattering message to Trump before arriving in The Hague for the NATO summit: You are heading towards another great success

Europe will pay in grand style, as it should, and the victory will be yours. Have a pleasant journey and see you at Her Majesty's dinner!" Rutte further wrote, seriously contributing to the creation of a cult of personality around Donald Trump.

NATO Heads of State and Government Summit — **PRAISE FOR TRUMP.** Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary-General, was criticized for the ode message addressed to Donald Trump, but he achieved his goal, saving the unity and plans of the alliance - Photo: Hepta.ro

Russia, a threat even for Trump

The NATO chief's message was strongly criticized on social media, but it achieved its goal; the meeting was a success, although just a month ago, several commentators described it as an event at which a serious fracture could occur within the world's largest military alliance.

stated Donald Trump, emphasizing the importance of Article 5 of the alliance treaty, that of collective defense.

Final statement of the NATO summit - 5% of GDP for defense by 2035. "Unwavering" commitment to Article 5. Change of tone regarding Ukraine

A day before, on the plane, during the journey, the American president suggested that only countries reaching a 5% allocation of GDP for defense would enjoy U.S. military protection.

Nicușor Dan, President of Romania

Although there was opposition from Spain, ultimately, all member states signed a joint declaration, committing to increase funding levels to the agreed amount in the next decade.

Unlike Donald Trump's first term, when political leaders on the continent were shocked by the lack of formalism, harshness, and subjectivity of the American president, this time they were prepared.

Indeed, something fundamental has changed in the meantime. For almost three and a half years, a bloody war has been unfolding on European soil, and Russia's military threat has become an existential one for continental peace.

NATO Summit in The Hague - Netherlands — **OPTIMISM.** Mark Rutte and Donald Trump, in the group photo of NATO member state leaders, flanked by President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer - Photo: Hepta.ro

Donald Trump has never hidden his admiration for authoritarian leaders and dictators, being suspected of envying their unlimited powers, but the military conflict in Ukraine has bewildered him, seeing it as a threat that could compromise his entire mandate.

The Nightmare Comes from the White House

The American president returned to the White House, triggering a scandal with Europe through his intermediaries Vance and Elon Musk. He himself created diplomatic tensions that were hard to understand with Canada, the ally with which the U.S. had the largest trade exchange.

But something surprising happened, no one backed down. Denmark informed the American leader that Greenland was not for sale. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany formed a military alliance that decided to continue aiding Ukraine regardless of the U.S. position. Canada reacted to tariff increases by refusing to accept the terms proposed by the White House, and China took advantage of the disorder caused by the American president's strange decisions.

In the first 100 days of his second term, nothing went Trump's way, his popularity plummeting.

The peace strategy in Ukraine, one he had repeatedly referred to during the election campaign, also proved to be a major failure, with Putin taking advantage of the American leader's impatience to achieve a ceasefire to buy time, hoping that popular support for Volodymyr Zelensky would collapse in Ukraine due to the prolonged war.

An Opportunity for Trump

Everything changed in mid-June when Israel attacked Iran to halt the nuclear weapons development process.

The rapid takeover of Iran's airspace by the military forces under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's authority was a surprise to the entire world.

Capitalizing on this superiority, the Israeli Prime Minister requested the American president's help to strike the deeply buried Iranian nuclear installations.

Only the U.S. military possesses special anti-bunker projectiles and strategic bombers capable of executing such a mission.

In the context of a weakened Iran due to Israel's attack, Donald Trump saw an opportunity and decided on U.S. military involvement, achieving a strategic victory through the successful Midnight Hammer operation.

While there are controversies regarding the damage caused to Iran's nuclear facilities by the American and Israeli bombings, experts still lack sufficient information. However, the fact that after the U.S. military mission concluded, Donald Trump obtained a ceasefire in the area represents at least a diplomatic success that cannot be disputed.

The secret report that contradicts Trump, comparing the Iran attack to Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The recognition by allies, and the realization by the American president that he would not have achieved such a feat without European support, transformed the NATO summit in The Hague into a party dedicated to Trump, but also into a success for the alliance.

Diplomatic Ballet in The Hague

This led to the American leader meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, although such a moment was uncertain at the beginning of the meeting.

Trump, before meeting Zelensky at the NATO summit: He's a good guy. We will discuss his issues

according to an official statement from the Ukrainian side, after the meeting.

NATO summit in The Hague — **STRATEGY.** Although Ukraine was widely discussed at the NATO meeting in The Hague, Volodymyr Zelensky tried to remain in the background, giving the entire stage to the American president - Photo: Hepta.ro

The ambiguous position of the US administration towards Russia's aggression continues, Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, announcing that no new sanctions will be imposed in the hope that negotiations for a ceasefire will continue.

The NATO meeting in The Hague was a success, considering the possible catastrophe predicted weeks ago due to Donald Trump's hostile behavior towards European partners. Thus, through a complex diplomatic ballet orchestrated by Mark Rutte, solidarity within the alliance was preserved, with member states gaining time to revitalize the defense industry and continue support for Ukraine.