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NATO Commits to 5% Defense Spending by 2035, Includes Direct Support for Ukraine
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![Ivan_khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
NATO has adopted a joint declaration following a summit in The Hague, reaffirming its collective defense principles and outlining a new long-term financial commitment to strengthen Allied security.
NATO member states agreed to increase annual defense-related spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, according to the final communiqué.
This decision comes in response to what the declaration calls the “long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security,” as well as the ongoing threat of terrorism.
The 5% target will be divided into two main components: at least 3.5% of GDP annually will be allocated to core defense needs, including meeting NATO Capability Targets, while up to 1.5% will be dedicated to civil resilience, including the protection of critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, and innovation in defense technologies.
The declaration also confirms that direct contributions to Ukraine’s defense and its defense industry will be included in the calculation of each member state’s defense spending.
“Allies reaffirm their enduring sovereign commitments to provide support to Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours,” the document states.
NATO leaders emphasized their continued unity under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The communiqué describes NATO as “the strongest Alliance in history,” committed to defending over one billion citizens and safeguarding democratic values.
“The resolve of Allies is clear. We are in this together. Committed to Article 5. And we are determined to stand firm. No one should doubt our capacity or determination should our security be challenged. This is the stronger, fairer and more lethal Alliance that NATO leaders have begun to build. Of course, this is also an Alliance that stands firmly by our neighbour and partner, Ukraine,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in a statement during a closing press conference.
“My dear friend, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is here in The Hague with us at the NATO Summit, along with his team. Our resounding message to him and the Ukrainian people is that Ukraine has our continued support, including with over 35 billion euro pledged so far this year, with more to follow.”
In addition to increased spending, Allies pledged to deepen defense industrial cooperation across the transatlantic area, eliminate trade barriers within the Alliance, and accelerate innovation by leveraging emerging technologies.
Earlier, a senior NATO official said Russia could sustain its war in Ukraine until at least 2027, despite allocating 32% of its national budget to the military and facing a shrinking sovereign wealth fund, labor shortages, and slowing economic growth.
