Archive · 23 Jun 2025
Spain and Slovakia Question New NATO Defense Spending Goals
NATO is asking its members to spend more on defense, aiming for 5% of their country's money.
Spain is saying it can meet its military goals while spending less than that.
Other countries are also concerned about the amount of money they spend on defense.
The leaders are meeting to discuss this, and the secretary general is trying to get everyone to agree so the US and Russia will not create any issues.
Spain is refusing to agree to the new 5% defense spending target.
Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez risks disrupting the NATO summit.
NATO Secretary General Rutte is trying to prevent divisions among members.
Slovakia has also reserved the right to decide how much it increases its defense budget.
NATO will review each country's progress towards spending targets in 2029.
- Who
- Spain, Slovakia, and NATO.
- What
- Spain is refusing to sign the new 5% defense spending target.
- When
- On the eve of the NATO summit.
- Where
- The Hague, Netherlands
- Why
- Spain believes its current defense spending is sufficient to meet NATO's goals.
Spain and Slovakia
NATO
Defense Spending Commitment
Spain and Slovakia
Can meet military capability targets with less spending.
NATO
NATO expects Spain to increase spending to reach the target.
- New Defense Spending Target
- 5% of GDP
- Core Defense Spending
- 3.5% of GDP
- Security-Related Investments
- 1.5% of GDP
- Spain's Proposed Defense Spending
- 2.1% of GDP
- Review Year
- 2029
Sources
NATO Offers to Tweak 5% Spending Goal to Win Spanish Approval
NATO countries approve Hague summit statement with 5% defence spending goal, diplomats say
Hague NATO summit protest shifts focus to Iran
NATO agrees Hague summit statement with 5% defence spending goal, diplomats say
Spain agrees with NATO to skip 5% defence spending target
Spain Reaches Deal With NATO Ahead of Summit to Be Excluded From 5% Defense Spending Goal
NATO agrees to higher defence spending goal, Spain says it is opting out
Hague NATO summit aims to focus on Trump’s spending goal but Iran looms large
'Our response would be devastating...': NATO chief warns Russia on attacking alliance ahead of crucial summit
Slovakia reserves right to decide pace of defence spending rise, PM Fico says
EXPLAINER-What is NATO’s new 5% defence spending target?
