NATO Achieves 5% GDP Defense Initiative — All US Allies Increasing Expenditures

At the Ankara summit, all 32 NATO nations reached the 2% GDP defense spending goal for the first time in the alliance's history, with European partners and Canada now averaging around 4% GDP as they aim for a 5% goal by 2035. This milestone signifies a historic shift from years of European underfunding that has frustrated multiple U.S. administrations, and was recognized by President Trump as a sign of 'tremendous unity.' The Ankara declaration also committed €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine for 2026, with a total of €140 billion pledged for 2026 and 2027. For U.S. taxpayers, this transition implies that European allies will cover a significant portion of Ukraine's defense expenditures for the first time. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte revealed the introduction of tens of billions in new defense contracts, which will bolster hundreds of thousands of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.