NATO leaders gathered in The Hague recently to discuss a significant increase in defence spending. Responding to pressure from US President Donald Trump, the 32 member states committed to investing 5% of their GDP annually on essential defence and security spending by 2035. A collective statement underscored their unwavering dedication to mutual support in the event of an attack.
While this ambitious pledge aims to bolster military capabilities, Spain has already indicated its inability to meet this target, describing it as “unreasonable.” Moreover, other nations have also expressed concerns regarding their capacity to reach this goal. A review of defence spending will occur in 2029 to evaluate progress and reassess security threats, particularly in light of Russia’s military posture.
The discussions around increased investment in NATO reinforce its collective security guarantee, asserting that an attack on one member constitutes an attack on all. Trump’s prior doubts about American defensive commitments have amplified the urgency of solidarity among allies. Secretary-General Mark Rutte described the summit as “transformational,” though it also masked underlying divisions among member states regarding financial commitments.
Countries such as Poland and the Baltic states, closer to the Russian border, have taken a proactive stance in committing to these expenditure goals, alongside key NATO nations like Britain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. In this context, Finnish President Alexander Stubb noted that this change signals a major shift towards a more balanced NATO, reminiscent of Cold War spending levels.
Despite the heightened focus on military funding, challenges remain; many NATO countries face pressing economic difficulties, and some governments are diverting funds from welfare and aid to support military budgets. Critics point out that achieving these financial commitments amid national economic strains may prove challenging.
Trump’s criticism of NATO members not meeting their obligations has resurfaced, with tensions apparent over countries like Spain and Canada. In previous summit discussions, disagreements over spending had led to significant rifts within the alliance.
In response to escalating security threats following Russia’s actions in Ukraine, NATO has raised its defence spending requirement to a new minimum of 2%. However, the latest agreements set an even more ambitious goal of 3.5% for core defence expenses. The implementation strategy includes a focus on overall military readiness, infrastructure improvements, and cyber defence.
The review in 2029 of these commitments is strategically positioned before the next US presidential elections. Meanwhile, there are hints of potential troop reductions from the US in Europe, which would necessitate even greater spending by European allies to ensure adequate security measures are in place.
Concerns linger regarding the actual security landscape, with varying perceptions among member nations about the threats posed by Russia. Notably, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán downplayed the potential severity of the Russian threat, showcasing the divergent views among NATO leaders amid this shifting defence landscape.