NATO defense ministers have reached agreement on a plan to lift military spending targets, setting up a key debate before next month’s summit in The Hague. The move reflects growing concern among allies about Russia’s threat and the pressure to strengthen the alliance’s long-term readiness.

According to Reuters, the decision comes as members weigh how quickly they can expand budgets while also meeting other domestic priorities. The spending push is expected to be one of the central issues at the summit, where leaders will be pressed to show unity on security, deterrence, and burden-sharing.

The discussion highlights the wider shift in European defense policy since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with many governments now treating higher military investment as a strategic necessity rather than a temporary response. Allies are also looking for a clearer path to sustain support for Ukraine and reinforce NATO’s eastern flank.

While details of the final target are still being finalized, the agreement signals that NATO governments are preparing for a more demanding security environment. The summit in The Hague is expected to determine how far members are willing to go in turning that consensus into binding commitments.