Donald Trump’s incoming administration will maintain military aid to Ukraine while demanding a significant increase in NATO defense spending, the Financial Times reports. Despite his campaign rhetoric suggesting a cut in aid, Trump’s foreign policy team has reassured European officials of ongoing US support for Kyiv as part of broader efforts to address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
At the same time, Trump plans to press NATO member states to raise their defense spending to 5% of GDP—more than double the current target of 2%. The proposal has sparked concerns among European allies, many of whom already face tough fiscal decisions to meet existing commitments.
According to officials familiar with Trump’s plans, he may be willing to accept a lower target of 3.5% and is likely to link increased defense spending to promises of more favorable trade terms. NATO leaders have already begun discussions about raising the target to 3% at their June summit, but Trump’s demands are expected to add pressure to the negotiations.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after a recent call with Trump, expressed optimism that transatlantic support for Ukraine would continue despite the economic challenges facing NATO allies. With the US poised to spend 3.1% of GDP on defense in 2024, Trump’s proposals signal a renewed focus on burden-sharing and a recalibration of US-Europe defense cooperation.
