Lithuania and Estonia, following "good and constructive pressure" from the United States, have pledged to reach 5% defense spending, Financial Times reports. Lithuania plans to allocate 5-6% of its GDP to defense starting next year and at least until 2030,

European countries have ramped up defense budgets since Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022. And many leaders have said the increased spending must continue to counter the growing military threat from Moscow.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on the alliance members to step up their defence spending beyond their common goal of 2% of GDP, which had been set a decade ago and is now considered too low,

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called on Alliance members to increase their defense spending beyond the shared target of 2% of GDP. This target, set 10 years ago, is now considered too low due to new challenges posed by Russia,