Spain Says No to NATO’s 5% Defense Plan — What That Means for U.S. and Europe

Spain is pushing back against NATO’s proposal to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, a move that puts the country at odds with most allies and directly challenges U.S. pressure for greater European defense funding.

Key Facts:

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told NATO he will oppose a plan to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP.
The proposal is backed by the U.S. and most NATO members, especially those bordering Russia.
Sanchez claims a 5% goal is “unreasonable” and “counterproductive” for Spain’s economy and politics.
Spain has pledged to raise defense spending to 2% by the end of this year, possibly up to 2.1%.
NATO leaders will meet next week in The Hague to finalize spending targets amid Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine.

The Rest of The Story:

Spain is standing alone in outright opposition to NATO’s plan to raise member defense spending to 5% of GDP.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez outlined his objections in a June 19 letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, saying Spain “cannot commit to a specific spending target in terms of GDP” and arguing that the 5% goal is unrealistic for his country.

Most NATO countries, especially those closer to Russia, support the increase, while others such as Italy and Portugal are hesitant about the pace of implementation.

The original plan aimed for 5% by 2032, but some nations are now pushing for a 2035 deadline.

The proposal divides the spending: 1.5% for infrastructure and cybersecurity, and 3.5% for traditional defense expenditures — the latter being the hardest to meet.

Domestically, Sanchez is navigating pressure from political allies who reject military budget hikes.

He’s also dealing with a corruption scandal involving two former aides, casting doubt on his government’s stability.

Still, Spain has agreed to raise its defense spending from 1.4% to 2% this year and is open to a slight bump to 2.1%.

Commentary:

Spain’s refusal to commit to the 5% defense goal is not shocking — the country is financially strained and politically fractured.

But turning down this proposal sends a dangerous message to allies, especially as Russian aggression remains a real threat on Europe’s doorstep.

The U.S. has long carried NATO financially.

American taxpayers foot the bill so European nations can spend more on social programs.

That imbalance is what Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized — and rightly so.

His push for higher European defense spending isn’t about domination; it’s about fairness and strategic responsibility.

Spain’s argument that defense spending is “incompatible” with its welfare state is exactly the problem.

National security isn’t optional.

A strong military doesn’t just protect borders — it preserves the very system Spain claims to value.

If Russia were to escalate further into Europe, Spain would be relying on American firepower to protect it.

Trump’s request may seem bold — raising the target from 2% to 5% — but it reflects growing threats and an evolving battlefield.

Cybersecurity, troop mobility, and logistics infrastructure all cost money.

While the timeline is flexible, the commitment needs to be real.

By standing against the plan, Spain is betting that the U.S. will always pick up the slack.

But that assumption is less reliable today than ever before.

With rising political and economic pressures in America, especially from voters tired of endless foreign commitments, Europe needs to take its defense seriously.

Sanchez may think he’s protecting his domestic political alliances, but in the long term, failing to meet NATO’s needs weakens the alliance itself.

A fragmented NATO is exactly what adversaries like Russia hope to see.

The choice is simple: invest in deterrence now, or pay the price later when conflict arrives at your door.

The Bottom Line:

Spain’s rejection of NATO’s 5% defense spending goal reflects both financial strain and political short-termism.

While understandable, it undercuts NATO unity and shifts more of the defense burden back to the U.S.

With Russia threatening Europe’s borders and American patience wearing thin, European nations like Spain must take more responsibility for their own security.

The future of the alliance depends on it.