THE HAGUE, Netherlands — In response to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, NATO leaders have unanimously agreed to significantly increase defense spending. On Wednesday, an agreement was reached during a summit that saw NATO members pledging stronger financial commitments by 2035 to bolster both individual and collective defense capabilities.
The summit’s concluding declaration states, “Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defense requirements as well as defense- and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations.” This decision underscores the alliance’s robust commitment to collective defense in the event of any member nation being attacked.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described the meeting as “transformational,” emphasizing the unity displayed by participating nations, despite some underlying disagreements. President Trump celebrated the commitment, claiming influence over the decision, stating, “something that no one really thought possible.”
Challenges remain for some NATO members, such as Spain, which has stated it cannot meet the 5% GDP target by the set deadline. A mid-term review is planned for 2029 to assess the progress of this investment and address ongoing security concerns, especially concerning threats posed by Russia.
The members reaffirmed their “ironclad commitment” to NATO’s foundational principle that an attack against one ally is considered an attack against all. This is a significant reassurance following President Trump’s previous comments questioning whether the U.S. would automatically defend its allies.
The increased expenditure targets obligate respective countries to allocate billions more to their defense budgets. While the U.S., the largest contributor to NATO, starts shifting its focus to other regions like the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, European countries must navigate these new financial commitments. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain highlighted the discrepancies and defended Spain’s position to focus on a 2% GDP expenditure dedicated to NATO defense plans.
President Trump did not hesitate to criticize Spain’s stance, suggesting potential trade negotiations might penalize Spain for its reluctance to meet the new target. This development fuels disparities among NATO members regarding economic capabilities and defense priorities, especially since many European countries are struggling with fiscal challenges amid global economic pressures.
Nations in proximity to Russia, aware of their geopolitical vulnerabilities, have displayed strong backing for the 5% spending goal. Countries like Poland, the three Baltic states, Nordic countries, and heavyweights like Britain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands have committed to ensuring Europe’s security landscape remains robust against potential threats.
A broad consensus recognizes the long-term threat posed by Russia. Notably, President Trump’s reluctance to vociferously support Ukraine’s defense against Russia has been a point of contention but does not factor into the declared aim of assisting Ukraine’s path to NATO membership.
In light of this renewed focus, Finnish President Alexander Stubb called the agreement a victory for both President Trump and Europe, signifying a return to pre-1989 defense spending norms reflecting Cold War levels. Echoing NATO’s aspirations, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed endorsement of this strategic turn to fortify Europe’s stance.
The developments since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine have prompted NATO members to designate 2% of GDP as a baseline defense spending level, with many exceeding this target. In 2022, NATO solidified its plans to revamp spending criteria, introducing more comprehensive objectives such as infrastructure supports for military readiness and enhancing cyber defenses.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre hailed the summit’s outcomes, acknowledging the substantial leap from previous goals to a 3.5% defense budget allocation, asserting its necessity for essential capabilities.
Further financial commitments might arise should the Trump administration decide to alter the deployment of U.S. forces stationed in Europe. Approximately 84,000 American troops are currently based there, and any reduction would necessitate increased contributions from European allies to maintain security.
While President Trump proposed that the U.S. should not adhere to the same 5% standard, NATO Secretary-General Rutte clarified that the U.S. is nearly aligned with this benchmark. European countries, along with Canada, have been escalating their defense budgets, driven by the perceived Russian threat. Though concerns persist, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, viewed as having close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, downplayed Russia as a significant threat.
In conclusion, as NATO members pursue strengthened defense postures, adjustments to strategic and financial commitments will be monitored closely in the coming years to ensure collective security and deterrence capabilities against dynamic global threats.