Trump’s NATO Demand on Defense Spending: Spain’s Thorn and Potential Mitsotakis-Erdoğan Meeting

All eyes are on The Hague today during the NATO Summit, which is taking place under the shadow of escalating tensions in the Middle East. Although the agenda focuses on increasing defense spending by member states, allies will undoubtedly need to form a united front regarding the Israel-Iran conflict and rising regional tensions. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to highlight NATO’s role amid global uncertainty and stress threats to regional and international security. A key issue at the summit is updating the Defense Investment Pledge (DIP) to 5% of GDP by 2035, as demanded by former U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Spain’s firm refusal and calls for flexibility have strained discussions. For Greece, this means gradually doubling its defense spending over the next decade while maintaining it post-2035. Mitsotakis plans to emphasize Greece’s commitment, already exceeding 3% of GDP, and present the country’s 12-year €25 billion defense modernization program. Meanwhile, a potential meeting between Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan may occur on the summit sidelines.