NATO and EU Leaders Call for Increased Defense Spending Amid Ongoing Security Challenges

As the war in Ukraine reshapes global security, NATO and EU leaders are urging a significant boost in defense spending to address escalating threats. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, speaking to EU lawmakers, emphasized that Europe must ramp up defense budgets beyond the current two percent of GDP target, suggesting figures as high as 3.7 percent to counter risks from Russia, CE Report quotes Agerpres

Rutte, who has led NATO since October, highlighted the urgency of closing Europe's defense capability gaps, noting the continent's reliance on underfunded industries. He urged the EU to avoid barriers that exclude non-EU NATO members from participating in efforts to bolster defense production.

Countries such as Poland and Estonia have already exceeded NATO's current two-percent GDP threshold, with spending estimates of 4.12 percent and 3.43 percent respectively for 2024. However, nations like Spain, Canada, and Italy remain below the target. EU leaders are divided on proposals for joint borrowing to fund defense, with countries like Germany and the Netherlands pushing back against the idea.

The European Council will address these issues at a defense-focused retreat on February 3. Discussions aim to chart a course for enhanced European security and will feed into a planned white paper on defense strategy, with further deliberations set for June.

This push for higher defense spending reflects a shared recognition of heightened threats, including hybrid and cyber-attacks, underscoring the need for Europe to take greater responsibility for its security.