NATO allies agree to higher 5% defense spending target
Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and US President Donald Trump, during the NATO Summit of Netherlands on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
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On Wednesday, NATO’s allies have agreed to double the defense spending targets from 2% to 2035, with the most decisive movement from the alliance for more than a decade.
In a common statement, the Western military block said it was “united in the face of deep security threats and difficulties”, especially the long-term threat directed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security and “permanent threat of terrorism”.
“The Allies have committed to investing 5% of GDP per year in defense and security expenditures by 2035 to provide our individual and collective obligations.”
The 5% figure consists of at least 3.5% of GDP, which must be spent on “pure” defense, and the rest is going to the “critical infrastructure” about security and defense.
Allies, some member states, especially from Spain, will be asked to present annual plans that “a reliable, increasing way to achieve this goal”.
Some member states have not yet met the 2014 target to spend 2% of GDP on defense.
The historical movement opposes a floor of tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. The members were also pushed to the new target after years of pressure to share more of the collective defense burden for US President Donald Trump’s Washington Canada and European allies.
On Wednesday, the Alliance re -confirmed the “demirdlad commitment to the” collective defense “as an attack on Article 5 in the case of NATO’s central column.
“We remain united and determined in our determination to protect a billion citizens, defend the alliance and protect our freedom and democracy.”
‘Quantum leap’
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who addressed the summit, said that the agreement would increase a “quantum leap” in the collective defense of the alliance.
The Allies said, “Not only to increase our safety, but will also create a business at the same time,” he said, the allies “made important commitments to meet important threats,” he said.
The Allies noticed the severity of the threats faced by the alliance and said, “We have united to understand that we need to take steps to stay safe.”
President Trump said that America is connected to NATO, but expects European allies and Canada to contribute more. “
Rutte acknowledged that this was the “first day” and said, “We need to innovate and we need to behave fast.”
“The decisions taken today will make NATO much stronger, they will make NATO a more fair alliance. The solution of the Allies is clear: Together, we are committed to Article 5 and we are determined to stand intact.” He said.
“I think he deserves all praise,” he said, while taking questions from the press about his relationship with Trump.
This is a last -minute news story, please check for more updates.
