THE HAGUE, Netherlands — On Monday, the leader of NATO emphasized that all member countries must commit to a significant increase in defense expenditure, with their progress set to be reviewed four years from now.
At an upcoming summit in the Netherlands, NATO leaders are expected to agree on a goal for members to allocate 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) to security measures. This is essential for meeting the alliance’s defense strategies against potential external threats.
“NATO does not allow any exceptions or separate agreements,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte declared in The Hague. “It’s imperative that every member upholds their part of the responsibility.”
Despite this, Spain announced an agreement with NATO to be exempt from the 5% goal, while former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the target should apply solely to allies and not to the U.S.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, revealing Spain’s stance on Sunday, indicated that the commitment wording in NATO’s final summit document would no longer include “all allies.” This adjustment may lead to discussions about what will be required of other member nations, such as Belgium, Canada, France, and Italy, which could face challenges increasing their defense budgets significantly. Rutte admitted that some countries have a “long road ahead” before achieving the 5% target.
Trump, on Friday, highlighted that the U.S. has shouldered its NATO allies’ defense for many years and emphasized the need for them to meet their responsibilities. “I don’t believe we should, but they ought to,” he expressed, adding, “NATO will need to address the situation with Spain,” while also criticizing Canada for not meeting its financial commitments.
The newly proposed spending goal of 5% consists of two components. Allies are expected to boost actual defense expenditure to 3.5% of GDP, moving up from the existing target of at least 2%, a goal that 22 out of 32 countries have reached. Contributions to arming Ukraine would also count towards this figure.
The additional 1.5% would cover infrastructural upgrades like roads, bridges, ports, and airfields to ensure better military deployment capabilities, counter threats such as cyberattacks, and prepare societies for future conflicts.
The second portion of this initiative is more achievable for many nations, Spain included, due to its broader criteria. However, the 3.5% dedicated to fundamental defense spending remains a formidable challenge.
Spain, which allocated only 1.28% of its GDP to its military budget last year, is recognized as NATO’s lowest spender. Sánchez mentioned that Spain plans to meet its commitments by reaching 2.1% of GDP in defense spending. Moreover, Spain is noted as one of the smaller European contributors to Ukraine’s arms and ammunition supplies, with estimates indicating they have contributed approximately 800,000 euros since the Russian invasion in 2022.
Facing economic hurdles, Sánchez also grapples with internal political issues, relying on smaller parties for governance amid corruption accusations involving his close associates. This growing pressure may lead to calls for an early election.
The urgency to increase spending is underscored by genuine concerns. Many European countries perceive Russia’s military actions in Ukraine as a fundamental threat. Moscow is accused of escalating incidents like sabotage and cyber threats, with European leaders preparing their populations for further potential threats.
The strategic planning of the alliance for defending Europe and North America against possible Russian aggression necessitates investments of at least 3%, as indicated by NATO specialists. These plans have received unanimous support from all 32 members, with each nation given specific capability targets.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Albares remarked on Monday that instead of focusing solely on percentage targets, discussions should revolve around achieving specific capabilities. He contended that Spain could meet NATO’s capability requirements with a 2.1% budget.
In contrast, nearer to Russia, nations like Belarus, Ukraine, and others, along with Germany, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands, which is hosting the summit, have committed to meeting the target.
For the Netherlands, NATO objectives entail at least 3.5% being used for core defense expenses, implying an additional budget of 16 billion to 19 billion euros ($18 billion to $22 billion).
Protocol requires that members not only agree to increase spending but also adhere to set deadlines. Several allies are yet to fulfill a previous 2% expenditure target set in 2014 post-Russia’s Crimean Peninsula annexation. As such, implementing a firm deadline is deemed essential.
The United States is advocating for a finite timeline, finding a decade-long pledge excessive. Italy, on the other hand, seeks ten years to meet the 5% goal. An initial deadline of 2032 was considered, though 2035 seems likely to be finalized as the target year, with a formal progress review projected for early 2029, following the next U.S. elections.
Rutte stated, “Spain will be required to eventually commit to the 3.5% target,” emphasizing that nations will routinely report their spending activities and their progress in meeting their goals. “There will be a review in ’29 to assess how far we’ve come,” he added.