Nato‘s 32 member states have committed to a 5% defence spending target, to be reached within a decade, marking a significant increase from the current 2% guideline.
The agreement, reached at the Nato summit in The Hague, aims to address the looming threat from Russia and strengthen the alliance’s defence capabilities.
The new target includes 3.5% of GDP to be spent on core defence spending on troops and weapons, while the remaining 1.5% can be allocated to “defence-related expenditure”, a broad concept that can include spending on critical infrastructure, networks, and civil preparedness. Plans to reach the 5% figure will be submitted annually, and a review will take place in 2029.
The summit agreement reaffirms Nato’s commitment to collective defence, as enshrined in Article Five of the alliance’s founding treaty. This principle means an attack against one ally is considered an attack on all.
US President Donald Trump had raised concerns about the mutual security guarantee, but the summit declaration puts to rest any lingering doubts about the alliance’s commitment to collective defence.
The Russia question was a tricky one, with most Nato countries viewing Moscow as a direct threat. While the summit declaration mentions the “long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security” and reaffirms the need to provide enduring support to Ukraine, it does not specifically condemn Russia.
This reflects the complex dynamics within the alliance, particularly given Trump’s softer approach to Moscow.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez came under fire from Trump for the country’s low defence spending, which stands at 1.24% of economic output.
Trump accused Madrid of seeking “a free ride” and threatened to make them “pay twice” in trade negotiations. Sánchez insisted that 2.1% was a sufficient and realistic target, but his stance isolated him among Nato colleagues.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte played a key role in navigating the summit’s challenges. He had a notable exchange with Trump, referring to him as “daddy” in a joint appearance. Rutte defended his flattery, saying Trump “deserves all the praise”. The incident highlighted the complex dynamics between the two leaders.
The summit’s outcome marks a significant step forward for Nato, with a renewed commitment to collective defence and increased defence spending.
However, the alliance still faces challenges, particularly in addressing the threat posed by Russia and ensuring that all member states meet their defence spending targets.