NATO member states have reached a consensus on a landmark defence spending target of 5% of GDP by 2035, paving the way for a formal announcement at the alliance’s upcoming summit in The Hague.
NATO diplomats confirmed on Sunday that all 32 member nations have approved a joint statement establishing a new goal for defence and security-related expenditure. The agreement follows extensive negotiations, with Spain previously voicing concerns over the scale of the proposed increase. However, a consensus was ultimately reached ahead of the high-level summit set to begin on Wednesday.
The statement, which remains unofficial until it is endorsed by NATO leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, represents a significant shift in the alliance’s defence posture. Currently, NATO’s formal target is set at 2% of GDP, a benchmark many members have struggled to meet. The proposed 5% goal signals a robust response to growing global security threats and aims to bolster the alliance’s collective deterrence capabilities.
According to diplomatic sources, the new target is not expected to be immediately binding but will serve as a guiding objective for long-term defence planning. The text reportedly calls for a gradual and "sustainable path" toward the 2035 goal, with flexibility for national economic conditions.
The decision comes amid heightened tensions in Europe and renewed pressure from the United States for greater burden-sharing within the alliance. President Trump has repeatedly urged NATO allies to step up their defence commitments, a stance he is expected to reiterate during his address in The Hague.
The summit is also likely to feature discussions on NATO’s strategic posture, the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, cybersecurity coordination, and emerging threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Türkiye’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has described the ongoing U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran as a “clear violation of international law”, in his strongest remarks yet on the escalating regional crisis.
Denmark will hold a parliamentary election on 24 March, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Thursday (26 February), as she seeks to capitalise on a surge in support for her defiant stance against U.S. pressure over Greenland.
Ankara has rejected media reports claiming it plans to deploy military forces into Iranian territory in the event of a U.S. attack on the Islamic republic.
The U.S. ambassador to Portugal has urged Lisbon to replace its ageing F-16 fighter jets with Lockheed Martin’s F-35, saying the stealth aircraft would ensure compatibility with Europe’s top-tier air forces.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was 'lightly injured,' an unnamed Iranian official said on Wednesday, as Tehran and Israel continued to exchange missile and drone strikes - all the latest updates throughout the day on AnewZ.
Global oil prices reached a four year high on Monday (9 March), surpassing $119 a barrel, as conflict in the Middle East rumbled on. Meanwhile, the Turkish Military said NATO air defence systems destroyed a missile fired from Iran towards the country.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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