Developments in the Middle East Cast a ‘Heavy Shadow’ Over The Hague and Brussels: Trump Disrupts NATO Summit with ‘Good Morning’

The explosive situation will dominate from today, Tuesday (June 24, 2025), until Friday at both the NATO and European Council Summits. Leaders participating in these forums are tasked with assessing risks and reaching common positions on how to respond to economic, geopolitical, and other threats. In The Hague, where the NATO Summit begins, under the heavy shadow of developments in the Middle East, the official agenda includes further strengthening the defensive capabilities of the Alliance. However, it is certain that leaders of the 32 member nations will be called upon to form a common line regarding the conflict between Israel and Iran, as was done at the recent G7 Summit. A key issue at the summit is the approval of NATO’s new defense investment plan, with President Donald Trump demanding that member states commit to spending 5% of their GDP on defense by 2030. Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will highlight that Greece already spends over 3% of its GDP on defense, supporting the increase while emphasizing the need for all members to contribute equally to achieve the collective goal of the alliance. Meanwhile, during the EU Summit in Brussels, the risk of a large refugee influx towards Greece and Europe has mobilized Athens. Greece plans to send 2-3 naval vessels into international waters off Libya to deter illegal migrant boats heading towards Crete. Developments in the Middle East have also pushed Greece and the EU to call for diplomatic solutions, aligning against Iran’s non-compliance with the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.