Spain is the last major NATO country that has not joined the proposed plan to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2032. This ambitious target, pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump, is being actively promoted among Alliance members, reports the Baltimore Chronicle, citing Financial Times.
According to four officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, Madrid is under pressure ahead of the NATO defense ministers’ meeting scheduled for June 5 in Brussels. During the event, member states are expected to announce their intention to meet the new defense spending commitments.
Trump has demanded that allies reach the 5% of GDP defense spending level, warning that failure to do so could result in the loss of U.S. military protection. Against this backdrop, diplomats are working to secure unanimous backing for the new financial target ahead of the NATO leaders’ summit, set for June 24 in The Hague. Many hope that by then the U.S. will recognize the Alliance’s financial pledges and reaffirm its security guarantees for Europe.
However, Spain has yet to confirm its support for the 5% commitment. According to officials, this could block the adoption of a unified declaration, potentially undermining NATO cohesion and complicating preparations for the summit.
Under the plan drafted by incoming Secretary General Mark Rutte, member states would allocate 3.5% of GDP to core defense spending and an additional 1.5% to defense-related areas such as cybersecurity and critical infrastructure.
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