President Donald Trump has praised NATO allies for their commitment to increase defense and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, marking a notable shift from the previous 2% benchmark. This announcement was made during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, highlighting a significant development for the alliance.
The agreement, solidified at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, outlines that NATO members will allocate at least 3.5% of GDP to core defense needs, while an additional 1.5% will be directed towards defense-related investments and security requirements. This comprehensive plan reflects NATO’s broader strategy to enhance military capabilities and collective security.
Trump also addressed the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, urging for a resolution to the war that continues to result in substantial loss of life. He emphasized the United States’ commitment to pursuing diplomatic efforts to help resolve the conflict.
NATO has reported that European allies and Canada are on track with the new spending goals, noting a nearly 20% real-term increase in combined core defense expenditure in 2025 compared to the previous year. This increase is part of the strategic move to meet the 5% GDP commitment by 2035.