‘US carried too much burden’: NATO leaders agree to increase defence spending

Secretary General Mark Rutte called the summit historic and said decisions made on Wednesday would include continued support for Ukraine while pushing for peace. He also stressed: “For too long, one ally, the United States, carried too much of the burden… That changes today.”

The commitment includes spending at least 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035, with an additional 1.5 per cent on security-related investments. Leaders reaffirmed their “ironclad commitment to collective defence”.

President Trump welcomed the outcome, calling it a “great victory for everybody, I think. We will be equalised shortly, and that’s the way it has to be”, BBC reported.

Some members expressed concerns. Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said Madrid was making an “enormous effort” to reach 2.1 per cent and argued: “The discussion about the percentage is misguided.” Belgium also raised doubts, but Prime Minister Bart de Wever said, “3.5 per cent within 10 years is a realistic goal”.

The summit began with a royal dinner on Tuesday and concluded with a short two-and-a-half-hour meeting and a brief communique.