NATO Secretary General Calls for Clear Defense Spending Plans Ahead of Summit

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called on member states to present clear, concrete and credible plans to reach the alliance's defense spending targets. He spoke in Ankara on July 6, 2026, one day before a two-day summit of the 32 member nations. The alliance agreed last year that members should spend five percent of gross domestic product on defense, with 3.5 percent allocated to military budgets and 1.5 percent to infrastructure such as roads, bridges and ports.

Some countries have yet to meet the previous two percent target.

Matthew Whitaker said last week that the United States expects all allies to move immediately toward the five percent goal. He indicated that consequences could follow for members without clear plans but did not specify what those measures would be.

Rutte stated that NATO estimates European allies and Canada will invest a combined $258 billion more in defense this year and in 2025 than in prior years. He described the increase as impressive but noted it may not satisfy all expectations.

Yesilgoz said the Netherlands will announce defense deals and plans worth more than 3 billion euros in Ankara on July 7. The announcements include partnerships with Belgium on air defense and with Britain on naval ships, plus expanded cooperation with Germany.

Yesilgoz said the Netherlands will present concrete plans, not only pledges, and described the effort as part of a broader set of national commitments expected at the summit.