Increases in military spending by NATO member states are inevitable and will be a major topic of the Alliance's annual forum that began in The Hague. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before the meeting with heads of state and government, quoted by the "Reuters" agency.
"Given the long-term threat from Russia, as well as the significant military buildup of China and the support for Russia's war in Ukraine by North Korea, China and Iran, it is important that all allies spend more," Rutte told journalists. He stressed that this issue would be at the top of the agenda of the meeting.
The topic of defense budgets has become particularly sensitive on the eve of the forum, after US President Donald Trump insisted that all allies allocate at least 5% of gross domestic product to defense.
Rutte also commented on Spain's decision not to increase defense spending, indicating that this would not fail the meeting. Earlier, Trump called Madrid's position "unfair" and stressed that "some allies cannot expect protection until they fulfill their obligations to collective security".
NATO leaders are expected to discuss not only budgets, but also the Alliance's long-term strategy towards Russia, China and the new risks arising from alliances between authoritarian states in Asia and the Middle East.