NATO commits to 5% GDP defense spending by 2035 to counter global threats

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks at a press conference at the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on September 23, 2025. REUTERS/Geert Vanden Wijngaert

NATO leaders announced their intention to invest 5% of GDP in defense by 2035 to procure tanks, aircraft, drones, and ammunition. According to Alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte, this is necessary because Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are preparing for a long-term confrontation.

This was announced at the opening of the NATO Industrial Forum in Bucharest on November 6, where NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Romania’s President Nicusor Dan participated.

We all know that this is serious money… But it is what we need for security. Money alone cannot create security. We need capabilities, equipment, real firepower

He stressed that the threats facing the Alliance are real and long-lasting, and Russia remains a destabilizing factor even after the war in Ukraine ends. He also noted that Russia is not alone in its attempts to undermine global rules: it cooperates with China, North Korea, Iran and other countries. They are strengthening their defense and industrial cooperation to an unprecedented level and are preparing for a long-term confrontation. We cannot be naïve. We must be ready

And Russia is not alone in its attempts to undermine global rules. It cooperates with China, North Korea, Iran and other countries. They are strengthening their defense and industrial cooperation to an unprecedented level. They are preparing for a long-term confrontation. We cannot be naïve. We must be ready

Rutte addressed industry representatives: “For this, we need you.” He quoted U.S. President Roosevelt: “Powerful enemies must be defeated and outproduced in manufacturing.”

For this, we need you

Romania’s President Nicusor Dan, welcoming the forum, supported the position that rearmament is a necessity, calling it not a choice but a demand of the time: “Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine continues at Romania’s borders. And for us… Russia’s aggression beyond Ukraine, as seen in recent incursions into allied airspace and the diversification of hybrid attacks, is further proof that we must be ready.”

Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine continues at Romania’s borders. And for us… Russia’s aggression beyond Ukraine, as seen in recent incursions into allied airspace and the diversification of hybrid attacks, is further proof that we must be ready

What is Known About NATO Defense Spending Increases

In January 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump urged NATO member states to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. He stressed that most countries do not reach the previously agreed 2% level, and the U.S. has overpaid – in his words – which is unfair.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegset on June 5, while in Brussels, stated that NATO countries should raise defense spending to 5% of GDP even before the summit scheduled for June 24–25 in The Hague.

On the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that all member states will have reached the Alliance’s 2% GDP defense spending target by the end of 2025.

Some countries, especially those bordering Russia, support the need for a 5% increase. However, others expressed doubts about the goals and timeline for implementation.