NATO Faces Defection Threat Over Defense Spending Ahead of The Hague Summit

The NATO alliance, already strained by war in Ukraine and rising global tensions, is now confronting internal dissent ahead of a pivotal summit.

A brewing budget clash has prompted one member country to suggest a potential departure—marking a rare moment of open discord within the bloc.

Budget pressure triggers backlash

The controversy stems from a proposal, championed by the United States, to raise NATO defense spending to 5% of GDP.

While some leaders have backed the move as essential to deter future aggression from Russia, others see it as politically and economically unsustainable.

The strongest opposition so far has come from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Speaking just days before the summit in The Hague, he warned that Slovakia might leave NATO if the proposal is adopted, citing the estimated €7 billion annual cost as a threat to social programs.

As reported by HotNews.ro, Fico argued that NATO’s new demands “endanger the country’s core priorities.”

Although he acknowledged that such a drastic decision would require parliamentary approval or a national referendum, his comments marked a rare public challenge to NATO’s collective direction.

Alliance unity under strain

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged all members to close what he calls the “preparedness gap,” framing the 5% benchmark as vital to regional defense.

The proposed split would dedicate 3.5% to direct military expenditures and 1.5% to infrastructure and cyber defense.

Rutte also warned that Russia could target a NATO country by 2029, increasing the urgency for long-term investment.

But Fico’s remarks signal a growing divide, especially among governments with pro-Russian leanings.

President Peter Pellegrini responded swiftly, affirming Slovakia’s NATO membership and calling Fico’s stance “destabilizing.”

Though a formal exit seems unlikely, the political fallout highlights growing rifts inside the alliance at a critical time.