The 23 EU members who also belong to NATO are likely to agree to raise the defence spending target above the current 2% of national output at a June summit of the alliance that will set a new level, European Council President Antonio Costa said.

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,

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged member states of the alliance on Monday to step up defence spending beyond their common goal of 2% of national output set a decade ago, saying this was now too low because of new challenges.