NATO nod for hike in military spending, collective defence

• NATO leaders (32 members) agreed to increase defence spending to:

• 5% of GDP annually on defence and security-related areas by 2035

• This is a significant hike, pushed by U.S. President.

• A spending review is planned for 2029 to assess progress.

• Spain has officially said it cannot meet the target, and others have expressed doubts.

• The summit reaffirmed NATO’s Article 5 guarantee:

• “An attack on one is an attack on all”

• Leaders described this as their “ironclad commitment” to mutual defence.

• Ukraine’s future membership remains supported in principle.

• NATO leaders pledged continued military and political support to Ukraine.

• However, Trump's administration has vetoed Ukraine’s membership for now, despite support from European leaders

• NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military alliance formed in 1949 for collective defense. It currently has 32 member countries from North America and Europe.

• Purpose: If one member is attacked, all others will defend it (Article 5).

• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium

• Founding Members: Includes the U.S., UK, France, Canada, etc.

• Recent Focus: Security in Europe, Russia-Ukraine conflict, counter-terrorism, and cyber defence.

• Key Principle: “An attack on one is an attack on all”.