AG百家乐在线官网

Sir Keir Starmer is now addressing world leaders at The Hague and begins by addressing the ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

He says now leaders need to make sure "the ceasefire holds" and get Iran back around the negotiating table with the US.

The prime minister says he is in close contact with leaders in the Middle East and is working "to lower the temperature" in the region.

He says focus should also not be lost on Ukraine or the rising threats to Europe-Atlantic security. 

He says Europe "needs to make a fundamental shift in its posture".

Starmer says the UK will spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035.

We're now hearing from NATO secretary general Mark Rutte, who is praising alliance members for agreeing to invest 5% of their GDP in defence and security spending.

"This is a significant commitment in response to significant threats to our security," he says.

This is "all to ensure we can effectively deter aggression and defend ourselves and each other should anyone make the mistake of attacking."

He adds: "All allies are united in understanding that we need to step up to stay safe and they are acting on it.

"President Trump has been clear, America is committed to NATO. He affirmed that again today in no uncertain terms. At the same time, he made clear America expects European allies to commit more, and that is what we see them doing."

He says the allies are "in this together, committed to Article 5, and we are determined to stand firm".

Ukraine 'has our continued support'

The alliance "stands firmly with our neighbour and partner Ukraine," he adds, saying the alliance's resounding message to Volodymyr ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y and the Ukrainian people "is that Ukraine has our continued support".

He adds: "Our aim is to keep Ukraine in the fight today so that it can enjoy a lasting peace in the future."

Donald Trump is speaking briefly to reporters with the Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

Addressing the leaked US intel, reported on by American media outlets, he says it is "unfair to the pilots" who "flew into a hornet's nest".

The reports suggested that, contrary to Trump's claims, the US bombing raids he ordered on Iran's nuclear sites did not "obliterate" the Iranian facilities or the regime's ability to make a nuclear weapon.

But Trump says the pilots did an "unbelievable job".

"They should be admired and respected for what they did," he adds.

He also repeats his claims that the sites were destroyed - opting for the word "demolished" this time.

Trump is expected to speak again in a news conference shortly, after his brief remarks alongside Schoof.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said his country is "equipping NATO with significantly better resources" to counter the threat that Russia is posing to Europe's security.

Here is what he has said this afternoon... 

The chancellor is alluding to Donald Trump who has pressed allies to step up military spending.

Earlier, NATO chief Mark Rutte said the expected hike in the alliance's defence and security spending target to 5% of GDP "wouldn't have happened" without the US president.

When Donald Trump and NATO secretary general Mark Rutte spoke during a press briefing earlier, they discussed the war between Israel and Iran, with Rutte referring to Trump swearing live on air yesterday.

The US president compared the two nations to "two kids in a school yard," saying "they fight like hell, you can't stop them".

He added: "Let them fight for about two, three minutes. Then it's easier to stop them."

Rutte joked: "And then daddy has to sometimes use strong language to get them to stop."

Trump replied: "You have to use strong language, every once in a while, you have to use a certain word."

Watch the exchange in the video below:

 By Deborah Haynes, defence and security editor

Donald Trump and his NATO allies confirmed their "ironclad commitment" to collective defence in a communique released at the end of a brief summit in The Hague.

They also agreed to boost defence spending and described Russia as a "long-term threat". 

But there was no mention of criticism about Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine - something that had been in previous statements by allied leaders when Joe Biden was in the White House. 

There was also no word about NATO membership for Ukraine - even though the alliance had previously said Kyiv was on an "irreversible path" to joining. 

Trump, though, has ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine. He has a closer relationship with the Russian president than many other allies. 

'Ironclad commitment' to collective defence reaffirmed

The endorsement of Article 5 of NATO鈥檚 founding treaty came after the US commander in chief 鈥� the most powerful leader in the room 鈥� suggested on his way to the gathering that his definition of what it means may differ from other allies.

The US president鈥檚 words risked undermining the credibility of a commitment that has helped ensure the security of NATO for more than 75 years, though the joint statement, approved by the leaders of all 32 member states spelt out clearly what article 5 constitutes.

鈥淲e reaffirm our ironclad commitment to collective defence as enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty 鈥� that an attack on one is an attack on all,鈥� it said.

"We remain united and steadfast in our resolve to protect our one billion citizens, defend the Alliance, and safeguard our freedom and democracy."

Watch below: Haynes explains the importance of Article 5

5% pledge designed to reassure Trump

Sir Keir Starmer and the leaders of all European member states, as well as Canada, are all too aware of Trump's scepticism about NATO.

He has accused his allies of taking advantage of the US's far more powerful armed forces to defend Europe and wants the rest of the alliance to take on more of the burden.

Urgently needing to keep him onside, Mark Rutte, the head of NATO, has been rallying member states to agree to a new pledge to spend 5% of GDP on defence and related areas 鈥� a figure first touted by Trump.

The statement commits allies to hit this goal by 2035, though Spain has already come out to warn it will agree to the new target, but without having a plan to reach it.

"United in the face of profound security threats and challenges, in particular the long term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security and the persistent threat of terrorism, Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence-and security-related spending by 2035," the communique read.

It is a significant rise, that is broken down into 3.5% of GDP on core defence 鈥� up from a previous goal of 2% - and a further 1.5% to be invested in national resilience, such as roads, railways, energy and cyber security.

Ukraine only mentioned in context of spending

The final communique was much shorter than usual, comprising just five paragraphs.

The only mention of Russia's war in Ukraine said: "Allies reaffirm their enduring sovereign commitments to provide support to Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours, and, to this end, will include direct contributions towards Ukraine's defence and its defence industry when calculating Allies' defence spending."

Trump has vowed to end Russia's war in Ukraine but has so far failed to stop the fighting.

NATO members are committed to spending 5% of their GDP on defence and security by 2035, according to a declaration from the summit in The Hague.

We'll bring you more on this shortly.

As world leaders continue with discussions at The Hague, Sir Keir Starmer has said his first duty is to "keep Britain safe".

He shared the brief message on X along with a group photo taken at The Hague...

Earlier, Starmer confirmed that the UK is set to buy a fleet of new fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons, in what Downing Street has called the "biggest strengthening" of Britain's posture "in a generation".

Britain will buy 12 F-35A jets and join NATO's airborne nuclear mission in the move.

Starmer said the UK "can no longer take peace for granted" and that the move shows ministers are "investing in our national security".

The internet in Iran has returned to its "previous state", the country's communications minister has said.

Sattar Hashemi said on X that conditions were returning to normal.

"I sincerely apologise to all the people, especially those in the communications sector and activists in the country's digital economy, for this imposed situation," he said. 

He went on to say he hoped Iranians "never have to experience such conditions again".

For context: During the Israeli strikes on Iran this month, most Iranians experienced a complete internet blackout.

Iran's government cited cybersecurity concerns for ordering the shutdown.

The Pope has urged Israel and Iran to "reject the logic of bullying and revenge".

Speaking at his weekly general audience, Pope Leo XIV said he was following recent developments "with attention and hope".

He quoted the bible: "A nation shall not raise the sword against another nation."

The American pope added: "Let us listen to this voice that comes from on High."

"Heal the lacerations caused by the bloody actions of recent days, reject all logic of bullying and revenge, and resolutely take the path of dialogue, diplomacy and peace."