Trump says Nato defence spend rising to five% of GDP is 'huge win' for US and the West

[ad_1] Risk posed by Russia fuels quantum leap in Nato defence spending printed at 16:42 British Summer season Time 16:42 BST

Danny Aeberhard Europe regional editor, BBC World Service

<img alt="Mark Rutte standing for speech" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/640/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2025/6/25/8ec65b6f-4e61-4dec-be41-9629dfba6a7d.jpg.webp" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2025/6/25/8ec65b6f-4e61-4dec-be41-9629dfba6a7d.jpg.webp 240w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/320/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2025/6/25/8ec65b6f-4e61-4dec-be41-9629dfba6a7d.jpg.webp 320w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2025/6/25/8ec65b6f-4e61-4dec-be41-9629dfba6a7d.jpg.webp 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2025/6/25/8ec65b6f-4e61-4dec-be41-9629dfba6a7d.jpg.webp 624w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/800/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2025/6/25/8ec65b6f-4e61-4dec-be41-9629dfba6a7d.jpg.webp 800w" width="1024" height="576" class="ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950"/> Picture supply, Getty Photos Nato Secretary Basic Mark Rutte stated a much more bold defence spending goal would gas a quantum leap within the alliance's collective defence, citing the risk posed by Russia.

For greater than a decade, the goal was 2%, and a few international locations are solely anticipated to hit that this 12 months after appreciable arm-twisting.

The brand new dedication contains 3.5% of GDP on core defence, like troops and weapons, and 1.5% on a extra nebulous class of security-related investments.

Donald Trump known as it a "monumental win" for america - which he stated had been paying an unfair share - but in addition an enormous win for Western civilisation.

On the side-lines of the summit, he is held bilateral talks with President Zelensky, which the Ukrainian chief described as "substantive".

Nato allies reaffirmed the necessity to present enduring assist to Ukraine.

Contributions to Kyiv can depend in the direction of their defence spending targets. However there was no particular condemnation of Russia of their communique.