NATO countries agree on increasing defense expenditure to 5 percent

This article was last updated on June 25, 2025

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NATO countries agree on increasing defense expenditure to 5 percent

The 32 countries of NATO have agreed to increase defense spending per country to five percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). All countries unanimously agreed during the North Atlantic Council, the most important meeting at the NATO summit.

As expected, Russia is mentioned as a threat to the long -term alliance.

The increase consists of two parts: 3.5 percent and 1.5 percent. The first, most part is about direct expenses for the armed forces, such as salaries, weapons and ammunition. The remaining 1.5 percent may be spent on Defense-related matters. What falls under that is not yet clear.

The increase in defense spending was an important requirement of US President Trump. He believes that the European countries and Canada have contributed far too little to the Alliance in recent years.

Spain lay across

Last week the Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez opposed the increase. He called that percentage unreasonable and counterproductive. After several discussions with Secretary General Rutte of NATO, Spain agreed last week as the last country with the draft text.

Splitting the five percent was a proposal from Rutte that he made before, to get more countries behind the increase in the NATO standard. Various Eastern European countries and also the US wanted to keep the new agreements as strict as possible.

Behind Article 5

The NATO countries also emphasize that all members support Article 5: an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. Yesterday, just before arrival in the Netherlands, Trump sowed confusion about that.

When asked if he is still behind Article 5, Trump then said: “That depends on the definition. There are numerous ways in which you can interpret Article 5, but I am determined to be their friend.”

Now NATO writes in the final declaration: “We re -enact our unwavering dedication to collective defense as laid down in Article 5 of the Washington Convention, which is an attack on one attack on all.”