NATO defense ministers have reached a preliminary deal to lift the alliance’s spending benchmark from 2% to 3% of gross domestic product, according to Reuters. The shift reflects growing anxiety over Russia’s war in Ukraine and pressure on European governments to take on a larger share of defense costs.

The proposal is not yet final, but it signals a sharper stance from the alliance as leaders weigh the long-term demands of deterrence, rearmament, and support for Ukraine. Officials have increasingly argued that Europe must become less dependent on the United States for security guarantees.

The move would mark a significant escalation from the current target adopted in 2014, when allies promised to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense. Several members still fall short of that level, and the new threshold could intensify budget debates across the continent.

The broader message is clear: NATO is preparing for a more expensive and more uncertain security environment shaped by Russia’s aggression. Any final approval would likely force member states to justify higher military spending alongside domestic economic pressures.