NATO leaders say era of 2% defense spending ‘probably history’ as Trump allegedly pushes 5% target

A group of five NATO leaders and a representative from the European Union gathered on Sunday at the North-South Summit in Lapland, Finland to discuss the need for increased defense spending in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the escalating tensions with Russia. The leaders, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, all agreed that investing more in defense was crucial in the face of growing security threats in Europe.

During the summit, Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis emphasized that the era of spending 2% of a nation’s GDP on defense was likely a thing of the past, and that a higher figure was necessary to ensure security in the region. However, the leaders did not specify what the new target figure should be, noting that they would need to engage with the new U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump to determine the appropriate level of defense spending within NATO.

The leaders were questioned about reports that President-elect Trump intended to push NATO members to increase their defense spending requirement from 2% to 5%. While the Trump transition team did not provide clarity on this issue, a spokesperson for the team emphasized the importance of European nations meeting their NATO defense spending obligations and sharing the burden of security responsibilities.

Despite concerns about the rumored push for increased defense spending, the NATO leaders urged caution and emphasized the need to understand the new administration’s actual intentions. Italian Prime Minister Meloni stressed that NATO members must do more to strengthen their defense capabilities and contribute to the alliance’s security efforts.

Finnish Prime Minister Orpo echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of European nations taking greater responsibility for their own security. He emphasized the need for European countries to be strong leaders within both the EU and NATO, particularly in the face of geopolitical challenges in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson underlined the significance of European nations investing more in defense to reduce their reliance on the U.S. and demonstrate their commitment to security. He called on European countries to strengthen their defense capabilities and show Washington that they take their defense responsibilities seriously.

The leaders acknowledged the importance of meeting defense spending commitments and working together to address security threats in Europe. While some NATO allies have already met their 2% GDP defense spending target, others are still working towards this goal. The leaders emphasized the need for collective action and cooperation to ensure the security and stability of the region.