Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump meets Zelensky as row breaks out over Nato’s stance on Putin

Nato backs big defence spending hike: At a summit in The Hague, Nato leaders agreed to significantly raise defence spending – a key demand from US President Donald Trump – and reaffirmed the alliance’s core commitment to collective defence under Article 5.

Trump claims ‘great victory’: Trump welcomed the new 5 per cent of GDP spending target, saying he hoped it would benefit the US defence industry. He confirmed his backing for Nato’s mutual defence pledge, saying: “If I didn’t stand with it, I wouldn’t be here.”

Macron pushes back on trade threats: French President Emmanuel Macron raised concerns over Trump’s threatened tariffs, saying it was contradictory to increase military spending while risking a trade war. “We can’t say we are going to spend more and then launch a trade war,” he said.

Rutte praises Trump’s pressure: Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte – hosting the summit in The Hague – said the alliance would become “stronger, fairer and more lethal”, crediting Trump for pushing allies to commit more.

New spending formula unveiled: The new 5 per cent target includes 3.5 per cent for core defence and 1.5 per cent for broader security. Achieving this will be difficult for many European economies.

Zelensky sidelined: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a pre-summit dinner but was not part of the main Wednesday meeting. He met with Trump separately.

Kremlin criticises Nato: Russia accused the alliance of “rampant militarisation” and demonising Moscow to justify the defence budget surge.

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen has hailed plans for six Nato member states, including the UK, to participate in land forces that are to be established in northern Finland.

Finland, which has a longer border with Russia than any other Nato state, has strengthened the frontier in the two years since it joined the military alliance following a policy U-turn after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“I am very pleased that yesterday, in connection with the ministerial meeting, we were able to announce that Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Denmark and Iceland are set to join FLF Finland,” Hakkanen said on X, referring to what Nato calls Forward Land Forces.

Helsinki and Stockholm agreed last year that Sweden would lead the establishment of a Nato land force in Finland and invited other allies to participate.

The number of troops is yet to be defined. But the Finnish defence ministry has said that there is a plan for up to a brigade – about 5,000 soldiers – and a significant number of equipment to be brought in if the security situation worsens.

The first Nato land forces will start to arrive this year and be placed above the Arctic circle in Rovaniemi and Sodankyla, it said.

If you’re just joining us, here’s what Donald Trump said about ending the Ukraine war at his press conference:

Trump said after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he is considering sending more Patriot missile batteries to Ukraine to help Kyiv fend off Russian attacks.

The US president said the anti-missile missiles are “very hard to get” but that “we are going to see if we can make some of them available.”

Trump, at a press conference after attending the annual Nato summit, said Zelensky would like to end the war. Trump said he will speak to Putin about it soon.

“Look, Vladimir Putin really has to end that war,” Trump said.

Nato’s commitment to Ukraine “endures”, the alliance’s secretary general told Volodymyr Zelensky as they met in The Hague on Wednesday.

Mark Rutte met Mr Zelensky alongside the leaders of the E5 – the UK, France, Germany, Poland and Italy – towards the end of the Nato summit.

He said: “The message that comes out of this summit is clear, Nato’s commitment to Ukraine endures.

“It is now in the summit declaration with a clear link to money.”

Mr Rutte added: “It is not just words, we are also providing unprecedented practical and political support.”

He also reiterated that Ukraine was on an “irreversible path into Nato”.

Mr Zelensky thanked Mr Rutte and the other leaders, saying he was “proud” to have been invited to the summit.

He added: “Our discussions here show real, strong support from you.”

Donald Trump has said the US is looking at supplying Ukraine with Patriot missiles.

Speaking at a press conference at the end of the Nato press conference, he said: “So let me just tell you, they do want to have the anti-missile missiles, as they call them, the Patriots, and we’re going to see if we can make some available.

“They’re very hard to get. We need them, to we were supplying them to Israel, and they’re very effective, 100% effective. Hard to believe how effective. And they do want that more than anything.”

Donald Trump has just been asked why he hasn’t been able to end the Ukraine war, after previously claiming he could end it in 24 hours.

He replied: “It’s more difficult than people would have any idea.

“Vladimir Putin has been more difficult, and frankly, I had some problems with Zelensky, you might have read about them.

“Its been more difficult than other wars.”

Poland is on the right track towards ensuring its security from Russian aggression, Polish President Andrzej Duda said.

“We are really on a very, very good path to ensuring our full security,” Duda said. “One part of this security is us, it is our potential, it is the Polish army … but on the other hand it is also our presence in the North Atlantic Alliance and the guarantees that the alliance gives us.”

Donald Trump has said Zelensky is fighting a “brave” and “tough” battle.

The US president added he is committed to ending the war in Ukraine.

Donald Trump has said that there is a possibility that Vladimir Putin has territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine.

He added his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky was “very nice”, adding that the pair previously had “rough times”.

“I’m going to speak to Putin to get it ended,” Trump added.