(Daily Wire)—NATO leaders on Wednesday backed increasing defense spending to 5% of their country’s gross domestic product by 2035, a major diplomatic victory for President Donald Trump, who has for years demanded “freeloading” allies pay their fair share for their own security.
According to Reuters, almost all NATO members backed a statement committing to the target, excluding Spain and possibly Slovakia. An official signing is expected on Wednesday before the end of the conference.
The new defense spending goal more than doubles NATO’s current 2% target.
The spending commitment is divided into two parts: 3.5% for traditional military spending, such as air defense and recruitment, while the remaining 1.5% can include infrastructure, like roads and bridges that troops could use.
“There is absolute conviction with my colleagues at the table that, given this threat from the Russians, given the international security situation, there is no alternative,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told reporters.
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