NATO allies increased spending to around 4 per cent of GDP last year, Rutte says

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reported a significant boost in defense spending by European allies and Canada, with a nearly 20 percent increase over the previous year. This marks a notable shift towards meeting the alliance's target of spending 4 percent of GDP on defense. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte highlighted this trend, emphasizing the commitment to strengthening national and collective security amid rising global tensions. This increase reflects a strategic response to perceived threats, signaling a more proactive stance in international defense cooperation.