NATO’s Leap Forward: Member States Agree to Allocate 5% of GDP for Defense

NATO member states have agreed to allocate 5% of their GDP towards defense spending, announced NATO Secretary-General Mark Route on Monday (June 23, 2025). He emphasized that allies will invest in thousands more tanks and armored vehicles, stating that Russia remains the most significant and immediate threat facing NATO. “The defense investment plan that allies will agree upon in The Hague introduces a new baseline of 5% of GDP to be invested in defense. This is an ambitious, historic, and fundamental leap forward to secure our future,” Route declared during a press conference in The Hague ahead of the two-day NATO summit in the Dutch city. Route provided examples of what investments would include, such as a fivefold increase in air defense capabilities due to the looming threat from Russian airstrikes over Ukraine daily. Additionally, he highlighted unwavering support for Ukraine, noting that allies will provide over €35 billion in military aid this year. Regarding developments in the Middle East, Route stated Iran must not develop nuclear weapons. “Allies have repeatedly urged Iran to comply with its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty,” he remarked. U.S. President Donald Trump will push NATO members to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP during tomorrow’s summit, White House representative Carolyn Levitt announced today. “One of the key discussion points will be the 5% target that our allies need to meet. The president has been calling on our NATO allies to do more for quite some time. He convinced them to intensify their efforts during his first term, and you will hear the president speak about it during this upcoming historic trip to Europe,” Levitt said in her interview with Fox News.