Norway Backs 5% NATO Defense Spending, Spain Calls Target “Unreasonable”

 ### 📍 Date & Location:

**June 20, 2025 — Europe**

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### 📰 Summary:

As NATO prepares for its summit next month, Norway publicly backs a proposed defense spending target of **5% of GDP**. In contrast, Spain's prime minister deems the target “unreasonable,” citing financial pressures on its welfare system :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

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### 🔎 Full Story:

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre echoed NATO chief’s calls for significantly increased military investment, arguing a stronger armed force is vital in facing threats from Russia. Spain opposes the idea, advocating a balanced budget that protects both defense and social spending :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

Governments across Europe are sending mixed signals: Germany views Russia as an “existential threat” and Denmark has deployed maritime surveillance drones in the Baltic to protect critical energy infrastructure :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

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### 🌍 Why It Matters:

- **Will NATO raise its spending bar?** A 5% target would be a noteworthy increase from current 2–3% commitments.  

- **Implications on economies**: Higher defense budgets could shift funds away from health, education, and welfare in some countries.  

- **Global security signal**: Demonstrates NATO’s growing concern over Russian aggression and global instability.