NATO summit demands defense spending plans

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte demanded that allies present clear, concrete, and credible plans to reach the organization's defense spending targets of 5% of GDP (3.5% on defense budgets and 1.5% on infrastructure) at the annual summit in Ankara, Turkey. The summit comes as the United States scales down its security role in Europe and presses allies to shoulder more burden. Spain endorsed the goal but said it could fulfill security requirements without spending so much. U.S. Ambassador Matthew Whitaker warned of consequences for allies that do not step up. NATO estimates European allies and Canada will invest a combined $258 billion more in defense in 2025 and 2026. The European Stability Mechanism released a report warning that Europe's defense buildup, largely debt-financed, is a central fiscal policy question. U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey resigned last month over insufficient defense spending. Some European governments warn of possible Russian hybrid attacks.