DECLARATION ADOPTED AT THE NATO SUMMIT IN THE HAGUE: Members will allocate 5 percent of GDP for defense and security!

NATO leaders have committed to allocating five percent of their GDP annually for defense and security by 2035 to fulfill “individual and collective obligations,” according to the final declaration of the Alliance summit held in The Hague.

The declaration states that members will submit “annual plans” showing a “credible and gradual path toward this goal,” while a broader review of progress is planned for 2029, Index reports.

The five points of the declaration also include a reaffirmation of the “firm commitment of all 32 members to collective defense, as defined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty – an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.”

The document also contains a pledge of continued support for Ukraine, noting that its “security contributes to ours,” but it does not include a direct condemnation of Russia.

However, a separate sentence highlights the “long-term threat that Russia poses to Euro-Atlantic security.”

DECLARATION FROM THE SUMMIT IN THE HAGUE

We, the Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Alliance, gathered in The Hague to once again reaffirm our commitment to NATO, the strongest alliance in history, and the transatlantic bond. We reaffirm our firm commitment to collective defense, as defined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty – an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

We remain united and determined to protect our one billion citizens, defend the Alliance, and preserve freedom and democracy.

Facing serious security threats and challenges – especially the long-term threat that Russia poses to Euro-Atlantic security, as well as the constant threat of terrorism – Allies commit to annually investing five percent of GDP in key defense and security needs by 2035, to fulfill their individual and collective obligations in accordance with Article 3 of the Washington Treaty.

These investments will provide the forces, capabilities, resources, infrastructure, combat readiness, and resilience necessary for deterrence and defense, in accordance with the Alliance’s three core tasks: deterrence and defense, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security.

Allies agree that this five percent commitment consists of two basic categories of investment. By 2035, at least 3.5% of GDP annually will be allocated, according to the agreed NATO definition, for core defense needs and meeting Alliance objectives.

Allies will submit annual plans demonstrating a credible and gradual path toward this goal. Additionally, up to 1.5% of GDP annually will be directed, among other things, to protecting critical infrastructure, cyber defense, civil preparedness and resilience, fostering innovation, and strengthening the defense industrial base.

The trajectory and balance of these investments will be reviewed in 2029, in accordance with the security environment and updated objectives. Allies reaffirm their sovereign commitment to support Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours, and accordingly, direct contributions to Ukrainian defense and industry will be included in the calculation of total defense spending.

We also reaffirm a shared commitment to the rapid development of transatlantic defense industrial cooperation, as well as the utilization of new technologies and innovations to strengthen common security. We will work to remove barriers to arms trade among Allies and strengthen partnerships to advance industrial defense cooperation.

We thank the Kingdom of the Netherlands for its generous hospitality. We look forward to the next summit in Turkey in 2026, and then in Albania.