NATO Must Accelerate Defense Spending Ahead of Turkey Summit
This analysis highlights the urgent need for NATO members to increase defense spending ahead of the upcoming summit in Turkey. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed optimism about recent spending hikes, attributing part of this momentum to US President Donald Trump’s reelection. The alliance previously committed to a new benchmark of spending 5 percent of GDP on defense and related items by 2035, with 3.5 percent allocated to core defense. However, progress remains uneven; while most members agreed, Spain secured an exemption, causing friction with the US administration. Currently, only a few nations like Poland and the Baltic states are on track to meet this ambitious target. The author argues that NATO leaders must present concrete roadmaps to Trump, involve finance ministers directly in summit discussions to ensure budgetary ownership, and legally enshrine these spending commitments domestically. These steps are deemed essential to demonstrate unity, ensure transparency, and address US concerns regarding burden-sharing within the alliance.
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