NATO Leaders are expected to agree this week that Member States should spend five percent of their overall domestic products on defense, except that new and much investment commitment will not apply to them all.
Spain has reached an agreement NATO will be removed from the target of five percent of GDP, while President Donald Trump said that number should not apply to its allies only.
Announcing the Spanish decision on Sunday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the text of a half-dozen paragraph that spent NATO's last summit in Communicles-will not refer to the “all allies”.
This raises questions about what demands can be emphasized by other members of the alliance like Belgium, Canada, France and Italy, who will also strive to increase security costs through billions of dollars.
On Friday, Trump insisted that the United States has continued its allies for years and now they have to take action. “I don't think we need, but I think they need,” he said. “NATO has to deal with Spain.”
Trump also called Canada a “low payer”.
New targets of NATO spending
Five percent of the goal is two parts. The allies will be willing to increase pure defense spending, up to 3.5 % of GDP, from the current target of at least two percent, which has been achieved by 22 out of 32 countries. The money spent to armed Ukraine will also be counted.
An additional 1.5 % will include upgrading roads, bridges, ports and airports so that troops can better deploy, establish measures to counter cyber and hybrid attacks, and prepare societies for future disputes.
Other spending baskets are easy for most countries, including Spain. A lot can be added. But the basic costs are a major challenge 3.5 %.
Last year, according to NATO estimates, Spain spent 1.28 % of GDP on its military budget, which is the lowest ally of the alliance. Spain will be able to respect its promises to NATO by spending 2.1 % of GDP on defense needs, Sanchez said.
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According to the Caile Institute, Spain is also one of the smallest suppliers of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, which detects such support. It is estimated that since Russia invaded Russia in 2022, it has sent about 800,000 euros ($ 920,000).
Beyond Spain's economic challenges, there are other issues with Sanchez. He relies on smaller parties to govern, and corruption scams have trapped members of his internal constituencies and family. It is increasing pressure to call the initial election.
Why is the need to increase the costs
There are solid reasons for increasing costs.
European residents believe that the Russian war against Ukraine is a threat to them. Moscow has been accused of a major increase in the incidence of sabotage, cybertax and GPS jamming. European leaders are entering their citizens more likely.
NATO experts say at least three percent of the coalition plans to defend Europe and North America against the Russian invasion are needed. All 32 allies have confirmed them. Each country has been assigned “capacity goals” to play its role.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Albus said Monday that “the debate is not necessarily raw percent, but the capabilities.” He said that Spain “can reach the capabilities that the organization has set with 2.1 percent.”
Many countries in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine have agreed to reach the target, as well as nearly Germany, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands, hosting a two -day summit starting Tuesday.
The Netherlands estimates that NATO defense plans will force it to dedicate it to at least 3.5 % of defense spending. This means find an additional 16 billion euros (US $ 18 billion to US $ 22 billion).
It is not enough to be pleased to spend the maximum amount. Many allies have not yet targeted two percent of the target, after which they agreed in 2014 after the affiliation of the Crimean Peninsula of Russia. So there is a need for encouragement.
The date of 2032 is presented as a deadline. This is far less than NATO's previous targets, but military planners estimate that Russian forces may be able to attack the ally within five to 10 years.
The United States insists that this cannot be an open -minded pledge and is a decade too long. Nevertheless, Italy says it wants 10 years to target a five percent target.
The possibility of increasing this period by 2035 has also been on the table for discussion in NATO envoy. NATO diplomats have said that progress can be formally reviewed in 2029.
B (b (b (Saman Ashham participated in the report.
And copy 2025 Press of Canada