NATO Defence Ministers to Tackle Increased Spending Demands Ahead of Crucial Summit

NATO defence ministers are set to convene in Brussels to address the pressing issue of increased defence spending, a demand strongly advocated by U.S. President Donald Trump. This meeting precedes a crucial NATO summit scheduled for June 24-25 in The Hague. Trump has urged NATO allies to elevate their defence investment to 5% of GDP, a substantial increase from the current 2% target.

European allies recognize the necessity of augmenting defence expenditure to secure continued U.S. commitment to continental security. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the urgency, stating, “We have to go further and we have to go faster.” A new defence investment plan is slated to be a central focus of the upcoming summit.

Rutte has suggested a phased approach, proposing that alliance members increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP and allocate an additional 1.5% to broader security-related expenditures. However, the specifics of this plan are expected to be refined up until the summit.

Divisions persist among member countries regarding the timeline for achieving the 5% target. While some eastern European states argue for a quicker timeline, others deem the proposed 2032 target unrealistic. Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene advocates for a 2030 deadline.

Additionally, there is debate over the definition of “defence-related” spending, which may encompass cybersecurity and certain infrastructure investments. The goal is to establish a definition that is both precise and flexible enough to accommodate national specificities.