NATO Commits to Spending 5% of GDP on Defence by 2035The Hague, 25 Jun (ONA) — NATO leaders today officially agreed to
raise defence and related spending to 5% of gross domestic product
(GDP) by 2035, according to media reports.
Allies endorsed a major increase pushed by US President Donald Trump
and aimed at deterring Russia.
Leaders formally signed off on plans to more than double current
spending levels amid growing concerns that Moscow’s armed forces
could be ready to attack a NATO country within a few years.
So far, NATO allies have been obliged to spend at least 2% of their
economic output on defence, a goal agreed to in 2014 and only set to
be achieved by all member states this year (2025).
Under the new pledge, at least 3.5% of GDP must go to core military
expenditure, with an additional 1.5% earmarked for related expenses,
including infrastructure that can be used for military purposes.
The new spending target represents a huge challenge for many of the
32 NATO states – and has not come to pass without opposition.
— Ends/Khalid