Briefing the media after a NATO Defence Ministers meeting, US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth announced that there is “near consensus” on a 5% defence spending commitment for NATO member states.
He hailed “the historic nature” of the discussions on capability and spending targets, adding, “there’s still more to go.”
“There are a few countries that are not quite there yet. I won’t name any names. It’s amongst friends in that room. We’ll get them there. But from France to Germany to the Baltics to the Nordic countries to Poland to Greece to Hungary, to so many more, the commitment is there 5% on defence spending.
“When you consider the threats that we face, the urgency in the world, it’s critical. We don’t need more flags, we need more fighting formations. We don’t need more conferences. We need more capabilities, hard power.
Pete Hegseth
He added that with Trump committed to spending a “trillion dollars in our own defence budget,” it’s time for allies in Europe and in Canada to step up even more, “to step up and take the lead, to recognise the defence of the continent as a core mission.”
The proposed benchmark, expected to be formally discussed during the June 24-25 summit in the Netherlands, includes 3.5 per cent of GDP on core defence spending and 1.5 per cent on infrastructure such as roads and ports needed to support military deployments.
NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte confirmed that the Ministers agreed on “capability targets” to strengthen military readiness.
These targets involve priority acquisitions like long-range missiles, drones, and air defence systems, as well as logistics tools to enhance rapid deployment. “All these investments have to be financed,” Rutte said.
The spending deal likely appears to be a compromise designed to let Trump claim success on his five per cent demand while allowing some flexibility for reluctant allies.
Among the most hesitant is Spain, which is only expected to meet the current two per cent benchmark this year.
Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius acknowledged that the new military readiness targets would require Berlin to add “around 50,000 to 60,000” troops, while Dutch Defence Minister, Ruben Brekelmans said their nation would need to raise defence spending to at least 3.5 per cent of GDP, requiring an additional €16–19 billion.
Though the US supports the proposed agreement, Washington is demanding that all member nations present a “credible path” to achieving the goal.
NATO planners are operating on a 5 to 10-year horizon to meet these benchmarks, amid fears that Russia’s capabilities could surge if the Ukraine war ends.
Hegseth Hails Trump For Reinvigorating NATO
Moreover, Hegseth rejected the suggestion that the US could withdraw from NATO if European allies don’t step up, but pointedly praised Trump for reinvigorating the alliance by his demands that they step up.
“It was an alliance that was sleepwalking to irrelevance, and President Trump, in his first term, said, you need to step up and spend more and he has in this term done the same.
“And what I saw in there were countries prepared to step up to push the limits of what they can do. That’s a good thing. That’s friends, helping friends.”
Pete Hegseth
Additionally, he rejected the assertion that his absence at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting meant a decline in US support for Ukraine.
He disclosed that US permanent NATO representative, Matthew Whitaker was present instead and made a contribution.
“From the beginning of this administration, we worked with our British and German counterparts for them to take the lead of that contact group, which they’ve done, And I appreciate that.”
Pete Hegseth
Meanwhile, as the spending deal progresses, debate continues over Ukraine’s role at the upcoming summit.
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