The informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers took place in Antalya, Türkiye, on 14–15 May 2025, with all 32 member states represented, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and host Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. This gathering served as a key consultation ahead of the June NATO Leaders’ Summit in The Hague, focusing on proposals to raise the alliance’s collective defense spending target to 5% of GDP-an ambitious jump from the longstanding 2% benchmark.
This push for higher spending is largely driven by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pressed European allies to contribute more, citing the increased threat from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Trump has warned that U.S. defense commitments could be reduced if European members fail to meet the new threshold, intensifying debate over burden-sharing within NATO. Currently, the U.S. covers about two-thirds of NATO’s total defense budget, making the 5% proposal a central issue at the Antalya meeting.
If adopted, the new spending target would require Europe to boost its military autonomy, potentially shifting the transatlantic balance of power. However, such a significant increase also risks escalating tensions with Russia and could strain domestic budgets, forcing European governments to weigh defense spending against social priorities. The decisions made in Antalya are expected to shape the future of European defense policy and the alliance’s response to ongoing global security challenges.
(ZM)
