NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels agreed to push European allies toward higher military spending, as Washington continued to press members that still fall short of the alliance’s long-standing 2% of GDP benchmark.

The talks came against a backdrop of persistent security worries in Eastern Europe, where NATO leaders have faced pressure to strengthen deterrence and improve readiness. The agreement reflects a broader effort to shift more of the financial burden onto European capitals.

The United States has argued for years that every member should meet the 2% target, saying the alliance’s credibility depends on fairer burden-sharing. Several European governments have already increased defense budgets, but officials say more work is needed to close the remaining gap.

The Brussels meeting underscores how defense spending remains one of NATO’s most sensitive internal issues, even as member states try to present a united front on regional security and support for allies near the alliance’s eastern flank.