[1][2] On 10 July 2018 the so-called 2018 Brussels Joint Declaration was signed,[3][4][5] between Jean-Claude Juncker, Donald Tusk and Jens Stoltenberg.

[6] On the opening day of the conference the President of the United States, Donald Trump, caused controversy by asserting that Germany is beholden to Russia over its involvement in the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline project aimed at doubling energy imports from Russia.

[7] This was the first time he addressed the leaders since the inauguration ceremony of the new NATO Headquarters, at which he stressed a similar point.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted defensively to Trump's comments and tried to deflect them with: "I am very happy that today we are united in freedom, the Federal Republic of Germany.

"[8] For the first time a RF Drone Detection System was used (a white dome seen at the right rooftop of the summit picture).