NATO members have reached an agreement to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. This agreement is important for Ukraine – the corresponding point of the final declaration of the summit in The Hague mentions support for our state.
Interfax-Ukraine writes about this with reference to sources.
NATO countries will spend 5% of GDP on defense
Earlier, the process of coordinating the document was blocked by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who opposed the idea of increasing spending to 5% of GDP. Due to the need for unanimous approval of decisions in NATO, this created a deadlock in the preparation of the declaration.
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However, as sources in diplomatic circles note, a compromise was reached – the final agreement on positions took place on Sunday, June 22, on the eve of the start of the summit in The Hague, which will take place on June 24-25.
Ukraine is mentioned precisely in this point of the declaration, concerning the increase in defense funding.
Support for Kyiv remains a priority for the alliance and will now be included in the new 5% of NATO member states' defence spending.
Rutte's defense spending plan
Let us recall that on June 19, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sent a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and informed him of Spain’s intention not to spend 5% of GDP on defense until 2035.
Mark Rutte's proposal envisaged reaching a defence spending level of 5% of GDP by 2032. Under pressure from individual member states, in particular Italy and Belgium, the possibility of postponing the deadline to 2035 was discussed.
It is expected that about 1.5% of GDP will be directed to defense-related areas – cybersecurity and modernization of the infrastructure necessary for the rapid movement of troops and equipment.
In 2029, NATO will review the force and resource requirements. This could provide additional flexibility for countries that currently have the lowest defence spending, such as Spain.
