NATO under pressure to increase military spending to satisfy US demands

In early June 2025, US Defence Chief Pete Hegseth convened a meeting with NATO counterparts in Brussels to discuss increasing military spending among member states. The meeting highlighted the importance of strengthening NATO's defense capabilities in light of the ongoing threat from Russia, as well as the rising expectations from the United States regarding defense budgets. Hegseth emphasized a target of five percent of GDP for military spending by each NATO member nation, following directives from President Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague later that month. At the summit, NATO Chief Mark Rutte proposed a compromise that would allow member states to target an increase to 3.5 percent of GDP for core military spending by 2032, alongside 1.5 percent for broader security areas, such as infrastructure improvements. This proposal indicates the varying levels of commitment among member states to the heightened military expenditures requested by the US government. Diplomats have noted that some countries, such as Spain, have expressed reluctance to meet these targets, while others like Germany have begun assessing their own military requirements framework in response to the potential increase in defense budgets. As the NATO meeting approaches, countries grapple with the need for enhanced military capabilities to counter potential threats, particularly aligning their defense strategies with the US. Germany's Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, earlier stated that Berlin would require approximately an additional 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers to fulfill the new capability targets. The considerations around military capacity are underscored by the uncertainties surrounding future US commitments to European defense policies. The summit in The Hague is also expected to address the divisive issue of support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. There appears to be a disconnect between US engagement and European allies' support for Ukraine, with Hegseth notably skipping a recent meeting in Brussels focused on Ukraine's backing. European leaders are pushing for a clear message of support, potentially inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to The Hague, amid ongoing concerns about the ramifications of US withdrawal from direct assistance efforts. As NATO approaches its summit, the alliance seeks to balance increased military readiness with cohesive support for Ukraine and commitments to counter Russian aggression.