During a press conference, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda highlighted the critical need for NATO member states to progressively raise their defense budgets. He stated that NATO had agreed on a guideline of 5% of GDP allocated to defense, consisting of 3.5% for so-called hard costs and 1.5% for infrastructure by around 2035. This framework implies that member countries should consistently work towards increasing their defense spending each year to meet these targets.

President Nausėda warned that failing to adhere to these commitments could undermine not only the reliability of individual states but also the overall credibility of NATO as a collective defense organization. He stressed that any deviation from this trend by specific nations could have wider implications for the Alliance, particularly at a time when global security dynamics are increasingly complex.

As geopolitical tensions rise and the security landscape evolves, the President's remarks reflect an urgent call for unity and enhanced commitment among NATO allies. This stance not only addresses the immediate needs for defense spending but also reinforces the necessity of collective security measures in maintaining peace and stability in an unpredictable world.