World leaders began arriving at the World Forum in The Hague on Wednesday morning for key talks on the future of Nato, including an agreement on a new defence spending target.

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte and Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof were on hand to welcome the arrivals. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 10.30 am and last for two and a half hours, after which Rutte was expected to make a statement.

Schoof told reporters that US president Donald Trump would meet Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky after the main gathering. The two have a strained relationship and Trump reportedly wanted Zelensky’s role at the Nato event to be played down.

Rutte told reporters ahead of the meeting that defence spending was the most important topic on the agenda, alongside support for Ukraine. The aim, he said, “is to keep them in the fight and to bring a sustainable and lasting peace”.

Rutte was also asked about Article 5 and a message he had sent to Trump in which he praised the US president for his actions in Iran and credited him with pushing through the increase in defence spending.

“Well it is true, isn’t it?” Rutte said. He added that he did not mind Trump sharing the message on his social media platform. “Do you really think this would have been reached if Trump was not elected?” he said.

He also said the US remained fully committed to Article 5, which states that if a Nato ally is attacked, all other members of the alliance will consider it an armed attack against all members and will take action.

Trump had been asked about Article 5 on his way to the summit and told reporters: “Depends on your definition. There are numerous definitions of Article 5. You know that, right? But I’m committed to being their friends.”

On Tuesday night, national leaders had dinner with king Willem-Alexander and queen Máxima at their home in Huis ten Bosch palace. Trump was seated next to the king, Zelensky to the queen.