Spain Challenges NATO's Defense Spending Proposal

Spain rejects NATO's proposed 5% GDP spending on defense as unreasonable. Prime Minister Sánchez emphasizes commitment to NATO but argues that the target is incompatible with Spain's welfare ambitions. Spain plans to increase its defense expenditure to meet initial NATO targets, while seeking a more flexible approach.

Spain has firmly rejected a NATO proposal that demands member nations allocate 5% of their GDP to defense spending. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez conveyed Spain's stance in a letter to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, terming the demand "unreasonable" and suggesting that such expenditure would undermine Spain's welfare state ambitions.

NATO's proposal, backed by several US allies, including Sweden and the Netherlands, is gaining momentum as nations aim to reinforce military capacities. However, Sánchez argues that the proposal would be detrimental to both Spain and ongoing EU security initiatives. He instead suggests a more adaptable spending formula.

Spain, having allocated less than 2% of GDP for defense last year, plans to raise this to 2.1% to meet initial NATO targets set post-Ukraine invasion. The call for increased spending has elicited varied commitments from NATO countries, with future timelines for reaching proposed goals still under negotiation, amidst concerns regarding potential Russian aggression.

(With inputs from agencies.)