Trump pushed NATO to spend big — now comes the harder question: Can Europe actually fight?
NATO allies have significantly increased their defense budgets, with a 20% rise in 2025 compared to the previous year. This shift comes in response to pressures from former President Trump and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, challenges such as ammunition shortages and production delays remain a concern for European military readiness.
- ▪NATO leaders have agreed to aim for defense spending of 5% of GDP by 2035.
- ▪Countries closest to Russia, like Poland and the Baltic states, have rapidly increased their military budgets since 2022.
- ▪Germany has initiated a major rearmament effort, creating a special fund of 100 billion euros to rebuild its military.
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NATO Trump pushed NATO to spend big — now comes the harder question: Can Europe actually fight? European allies boosted defense budgets by 20% in 2025, but ammunition shortfalls and production delays persist By Morgan Phillips Fox News Published May 26, 2026 6:00am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Rubio says US, allies need a 'plan B' if Iran refuses to reopen Strait of Hormuz Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following NATO foreign ministers meeting Friday in Sweden, described needing a "plan B" if Iran doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! By NATO’s traditional metrics, the alliance appears transformed.
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