European allies and Canada have raised defense spending to about 4% of GDP, one year into NATO’s 10-year push toward a 5% target by 2035 (3.5% core defense, 1.5% security infrastructure), Rutte said ahead of the Ankara summit. This counters Trump’s recent criticism of allies’ commitment. Rutte wants concrete plans presented this week, though experts, including SIPRI, warn the vague 1.5% “resilience” definition risks “creative accounting.” EU core defense spending rose 20% in 2025, to €418 billio