FT reports that Lithuania and Estonia have pledged 5% of their defense budgets in response to Trump’s call.  

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**Lithuania and Estonia Meet Trump’ Defense Spending Demand**

Lithuania and Estonia have become the first NATO countries to meet U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to raise defense spending to more than 5% of GDP. This change was reported by the Financial Times on January .

**New Era in Defense Spending**

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys described this shift as a “new era.” The country has committed to spending between 5% and 6% of its GDP on defense annually until at least 2030. Estonia followed suit, with Prime Minister promising to raise defense spending from 3.7% of GDP to 5%.

**Leadership in Defense Spending**

This move puts the nations ahead of most NATO and even the United States, which allocated 3.38% of its GDP to defense in 2024. , another NATO member, has also committed to meeting this benchmark by 2025.

**NATO’s Debate on Defense Spending**

The announcements come as NATO members discuss raising the -wide defense spending target from % to 3% of GDP by 2030. Still, Trump’s proposed 5% benchmark remains a challenge many countries. Italy, , and Spain are among those still below this threshold.

Read More @ kyivindependent.com

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