NATO summit in The Hague sees allies commit to spending 5% of GDP on defence

NATO concluded its two-day summit in The Hague on 25 June 2025 with the allies agreeing to invest 5% of their GDP on defence and reaffirming their continued support for Ukraine in its fight to repel the Russian invasion.

At the formal session of NATO Heads of State and Government on 24 June allied leaders adopted a summit declaration that set the new benchmark for defence investment, underlined the importance of ramping up defence-industrial production, and affirmed continued support for Ukraine. With The Hague Defence Investment Plan outlined in the statement, the allies committed to investing a total of 5% of GDP in defence – including 3.5% of GDP on core defence requirements and 1.5% on defence- and security-related investments like infrastructure and industry. This marks a major uplift from the previous benchmark of spending 2% of GDP on defence first agreed in 2006.

In 2025 all allies are expected to meet or exceed the pre-summit target of investing at least 2% of GDP in defence, compared to only three allies in 2014.

“Together, Allies have laid the foundations for a stronger, fairer, more lethal NATO,” Secretary General Mark Rutte stated in the summit’s closing press conference. “These decisions will have a profound impact on our ability to do what NATO was founded to do – deter and defend.”

Highlighting the challenges to allied security, Rutte stated, “Whether from Russia or terrorism, cyber attacks, sabotage or strategic competition – this alliance is and will remain ready, willing and able to defend every inch of allied territory,” explaining that the new pledge would “ensure that our one billion people can continue to live in freedom and security”.

The next NATO Summit is planned for 2026 in Türkiye.