MADRID — European Union leaders sought to downplay concerns raised by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding NATO’s solidarity on Friday, following a decision to increase defense spending amidst uncertainty about U.S. commitment.
This came after Thursday’s crucial meeting where European officials consented to freeing up a substantial fund for defense, prompting Trump to express doubt about the alliance’s readiness to defend the United States if it were attacked.
French President Emmanuel Macron responded late Thursday by reaffirming unwavering loyalty as allies, underscoring a lasting “respect and friendship” towards U.S. authorities, and highlighting that France expects the same in return.
M?ris Riekstins, Latvia’s NATO ambassador, reiterated the importance of NATO for addressing security across the Atlantic. He also emphasized that Latvia — sharing a lengthy frontier with Russia — remains committed to bolstering defense budgets. Last month, the Baltic nation indicated it would increase defense spending to 4% of its GDP the following year, aiming for 5% in subsequent years.
Trump’s warnings about abandoning European allies to confront the threat from Russia on their own have driven European countries, long hesitant to enhance defense funding, to invest more diligently in their military capabilities and support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
On Thursday, EU leaders agreed to relax fiscal constraints, enabling member states inclined to increase military expenditure to do so more freely.
Following an impromptu meeting in Brussels, Trump once more hinted at the U.S. potentially reneging on its NATO obligations if other member states do not comply with the defense budget targets. He drew attention to a perceived lack of mutual defense commitment among allies, despite their historical support following the 9/11 attacks — the sole occasion when the Article 5 mutual defense pledge was activated.
The U.S. president’s long-standing criticism of NATO stems from European members’ perceived inadequacy in funding their security needs.
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez pledged to hasten the increase in defense spending to meet NATO’s financial standards earlier than planned. Although he didn’t specify a timeline, Spain — among the eurozone’s larger economies and a NATO underachiever in defense spending — spent just 1.28% of GDP on national defense last year. Italy and Belgium similarly fell short of the 2% GDP target, as per NATO figures.
Back in 2014, NATO members vowed to commit at least 2% of their GDP towards defense, a goal 23 nations were expected to reach last year amidst the Ukraine conflict concerns. Spain, previously trailing in defense expenditure among NATO countries, planned to hit this target by 2029.
Sánchez confirmed Spain’s dedication to Europe’s security and backing Ukraine, acknowledging distinctive security risks in southern Europe compared to those on the eastern front facing Russia. He insisted, “it’s evident we all must endeavor to make an earnest effort.”
Without explicitly naming Trump, Sánchez advocated for a cohesive Europe, suggesting that “while some erect barriers or impose tariffs, we establish connections and forge trade agreements.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s remarks seemingly shifted away from her prior endorsement for Ukraine’s NATO accession, proposing that extending defensive coverage to Ukraine — short of membership — might promise “consistent, sustainable security.”
Meanwhile, Sweden commemorated its first year in NATO on Friday. Through social media, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs emphasized a “more secure Sweden and a stronger NATO,” yet abstained from referring to Trump’s statements.
