NATO Urges Increased Defense Spending Amid Rising Russian Threat

Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European defense leaders stress the need for higher military budgets as NATO considers raising its spending target to 3.7% of GDP.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned European nations to boost defense spending or risk compromising their security, citing Russia as a growing threat.
Rutte suggested a new NATO defense spending target of 3.7% of GDP, though U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has called for an ambitious 5% target.
Poland, already spending 4.7% of its GDP on defense, supports higher targets, while Germany and other nations argue such increases could strain national budgets.
European defense ministers emphasized smarter spending through joint procurement and innovation to meet capability goals more efficiently.
NATO plans to finalize new military capability targets by summer 2025, aiming to address gaps in air defenses, troop levels, and ammunition supplies.