NATO member states have agreed to raise their defence spending target to 5% of GDP, marking a sharp increase from the previous 2% goal.
The decision was announced on the final day of the NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday, with U.S. President Donald Trump calling it a “monumental victory.”
The commitment is aimed at strengthening the alliance’s collective defence in response to growing global threats. Trump welcomed the agreement, while also criticizing Spain for saying it would not meet the new target until 2035.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reassured allies that the U.S. remains “totally committed” to the alliance and its Article 5 mutual defence clause.
Ukraine and Russia still on agenda
While Ukraine received less focus than in previous summits, NATO allies reiterated their “enduring support” for the country. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he had urged Trump to expand sanctions on Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met President Trump on the sidelines, said they discussed the potential co-production of drones, as well as the purchase of U.S. air defense systems to protect Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians.
Zelenskyy also praised recent U.S. strikes on Iranian military sites, claiming they had weakened Iran’s drone production capacity — drones which have been used in Russian attacks on Ukraine.
In a social media post, Zelenskyy said he provided Trump with updated battlefield information and encouraged European allies to support the purchase of U.S. weapons.
Türkiye confirmed it will host the next NATO Summit in 2026. The defence spending pledge is expected to reshape future alliance planning, procurement, and military readiness. The move also signals a stronger push for burden-sharing among NATO members.
The summit closed with a renewed emphasis on unity and burden-sharing as global tensions rise, particularly with Russia’s continued war in Ukraine, and instability in the Middle East. Secretary-General Mark Rutte underlined that the alliance remains firmly committed to Article 5 and collective defence.
As NATO prepares to mark its 76th year in 2026, the summit set the tone for a more assertive and better-resourced alliance amid growing global uncertainty.
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