Lithuania is the First NATO Ally to Pledge to Achieve Trump’s 5 Percent Defense Spending Target
Lithuania has committed to increasing its defense spending to between 5 percent and 6 percent of its GDP in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s call for higher NATO spending.
The decision, announced by top Lithuanian officials on Jan. 17, is motivated by the country’s determination to address the threat of Russian aggression, especially given its proximity to Russia and the militarized Kaliningrad exclave. Currently, Lithuania allocates a little over 3 percent of its GDP to defense.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda emphasized the importance of strengthening defense and deterrence efforts, stating that while the threat of Russian military aggression is present, it is not immediate. The country aims to increase its defense spending significantly to enhance its security.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys clarified that the country’s commitment to spend between 5 percent and 6 percent of GDP will begin in 2026 and continue through 2030. He called for bold decisions and leadership from allies, signaling the end of passive strategies.
The announcement makes Lithuania the first NATO ally to officially pledge to meet the 5 percent of GDP spending target demanded by Trump. The president-elect has been critical of NATO members for not meeting the alliance’s 2 percent defense spending target and has proposed the more ambitious 5 percent goal.
Poland, the current leader in NATO defense spending, has expressed support for Trump’s 5 percent target, framing it as an aspirational goal for all members. While Poland has not specified when it will reach or exceed the 5 percent mark, it has demonstrated a commitment to increasing defense spending to protect itself from potential conflicts.
European NATO leaders have offered varying responses to Trump’s call for increased defense spending, with some countries facing financial constraints. In 2014, NATO set a target for all members to spend 2 percent of GDP by 2024, with several nations meeting or surpassing this goal over the years.
