Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys called on Southern European nations to significantly increase their defence spending, Politico reported.
Budrys stressed that collective security required contributions from all EU member states, not just those in the north and east. His remarks come as Europe seeks to bolster its defences amid growing concerns over uncertainty about the future of US support under the Trump administration.
The minister highlighted that while the European Commission had provided tools, such as loans of up to €150 billion to help member states boost military spending, political will was essential to ensure those resources were utilised effectively. He warned that relying solely on countries in the Baltics, Nordics, or other regions to increase defence spending would not suffice.
[If] only Nordics, Baltics, or other parts… will increase their defences, it won’t work.
Lithuania, which shares borders with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, has pledged to allocate between 5% and 6% of its GDP to defence from 2025 to 2030. Countries in Northern and Eastern Europe, such as Poland (4.7% of GDP in 2025) and other Baltic states, have already exceeded NATO’s defence spending target of 2% of GDP, reflecting their security concerns.
In contrast, Southern European nations lag behind. Italy plans to spend 1.57% of GDP on defence in 2025, while Spain allocates just 1.28%.
Spain has proposed broadening the definition of defence spending to include areas like cybersecurity, anti-terrorism, and climate change efforts, but this has yet to gain widespread acceptance.
Europe’s defence challenges
Europe is under increasing pressure to strengthen its defence capabilities as the US, under the Trump administration, signals a potential retreat from its traditional role as the guarantor of transatlantic security. The shift has prompted calls for greater self-reliance and unity among EU member states.
The European Commission’s plan to provide loans for defence spending is part of a broader effort to address these challenges. However, as Budrys highlighted, the success of these initiatives depends on the willingness of all member states to prioritise defence and allocate the necessary resources.
Budrys’ remarks underscore the growing divide between Northern/Eastern and Southern Europe on defence spending. As the EU seeks to enhance its collective security, bridging this gap will be critical.
