The Hague, Netherlands — In a significant move aimed at strengthening collective security, NATO leaders have agreed to a new and ambitious defense spending target during the summit held on June 24–25, 2025, in The Hague. The agreement outlines a commitment from member nations to spend 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense by 2035, with a split between core military capabilities and broader security infrastructure.

Under the new plan, NATO members will allocate 3.5% of GDP toward traditional defense spending such as personnel, weapons, and equipment, and 1.5% toward areas considered “soft defense,” including cyber security, infrastructure resilience, and strategic logistics. The target represents a major increase from the alliance’s previous 2% benchmark and signals a united response to escalating global threats.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that the decision is a response to a rapidly evolving security environment marked by the aggressive posture of Russia, increasing military capabilities of China, and hybrid threats from countries like Iran and North Korea. He described the agreement as both a necessity and a signal of NATO’s readiness to defend its values and territory.

While most member states have pledged to work toward the full 5% target, some flexibility has been granted. Spain, for instance, will not meet the 5% in full but has committed to 2.1% for core defense capabilities. Rutte stated that such flexibility is acceptable as long as the essential defense components are fulfilled.

The summit was notably shaped by the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously raised doubts about NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause. Despite his controversial remarks, Trump did not challenge the clause during the summit. Rutte reiterated that the United States remains fully committed to NATO’s principles, including Article 5, and said that Trump’s participation and positive engagement helped solidify the alliance’s direction.

Several nations also outlined steps they plan to take to meet the targets. Canada announced that it would meet the 3.5% defense goal by 2029 and will include critical minerals infrastructure within its 1.5% allocation. The United Kingdom declared its intention to purchase 12 U.S.-built F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons, marking a revival of its airborne nuclear deterrent.

The decision to increase military spending comes amid intelligence assessments warning that NATO could face a direct threat from Russia within the next three to five years. This urgency has pushed some officials to call for an accelerated timeline. However, economic and political constraints remain a challenge for many member countries.

Analysts view the summit’s outcomes as a major turning point for NATO. The alliance’s commitment to a higher defense threshold is seen as a clear message to adversaries that NATO is preparing for the long term. At the same time, critics caution that Europe must move faster and develop more autonomous defense capabilities to reduce reliance on U.S. support.

The summit was deliberately kept short—lasting just two and a half hours—to maintain cohesion and avoid diplomatic friction. It was marked by extensive behind-the-scenes negotiations, especially by Secretary General Rutte, who has been praised for his diplomatic efforts in aligning diverse member states toward a common goal.

As the 2035 target looms, the focus now shifts to implementation. NATO countries will be required to present progress reports and ensure their national budgets reflect the new commitments. Despite the challenges, the Hague summit has set a clear path forward for the alliance in an increasingly unstable world.