Spain represents the only obstacle to NATO reaching its member states’ target of spending 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, the British business newspaper Financial Times reported on Saturday.
According to the publication, Spain is the only country within the Atlantic alliance that has not committed to meeting the 5% military spending target demanded by US President Donald Trump since taking office last January.
The Financial Times quoted NATO officials as saying: “Madrid is under pressure to commit to this target and allow NATO to announce at a meeting of defense ministers in Brussels on June 5 that all members will meet this commitment.”
With the exception of Spain, the other member states are striving to meet this quota, particularly in view of the June 24 summit of the alliance’s heads of state and government in The Hague. According to the Financial Times, members hope that Trump will accept the promise of increased spending and reaffirm America’s commitment to security in Europe.
The lack of commitment to this goal by the Pedro Sánchez-led government “could block a unanimous declaration, undermine the unity of the alliance, and complicate preparations for The Hague,” according to the Financial Times.
The London media reported on the comments of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who emphasized that he “called on Spain to join its allies in allocating 5% of GDP to defense.”
According to the Financial Times, “the Socialist-led Spanish government refuses to address this demand directly and publicly,” adding that “Spain has long lagged behind in defense spending.”
The British media article highlights Spain’s position on the issue. He quotes Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, who explains that “reaching 2% was a huge effort” for Spain, as well as Defense Minister Margarita Robles, who emphasizes that “it’s not just about specific percentages, but about developing capabilities and fulfilling missions.”
“Madrid has repeatedly emphasized that it makes significant contributions to NATO, EU, and UN missions, which are not quantified in the figures,” the Financial Times recalls, citing Bernardo Navazo, founder of the Madrid-based consultancy Geopolitical Insights, who considers it difficult for Spain to reach the 5% target.
“It will be very challenging for countries like Spain and Italy to convince their populations to support 5% in a context where people don’t perceive an imminent threat, even when leaders claim that we are part of the EU and that it faces a security threat from Russia,” Navazo tells British media.
