Slovakia says no to NATO’s 2% defense goal, reveals reasons
Slovakia will not spend 2% of GDP on defense (Photo: Getty Images)
Slovakia will face challenges in spending 2% of GDP on defense, according to Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák on the JOJ24 TV show.
The minister stated that for the Slovak government as a whole, and his ministry in particular, the priority is consolidation - optimizing state spending due to economic difficulties. His ministry also aims to help other ministries save funds.
“This year, the Ministry of Defense has contributed hundreds of millions to savings, and next year it will be tens of millions. We have also carried out reductions and will certainly continue to optimize our operations,” Kaliňák emphasized.
He noted that his ministry is also helping with hospital construction.
“Thanks to the saved funds, we were able to start these projects,” he said.
NATO defense spending
As previously reported by RBC-Ukraine, NATO members plan to spend over $1.5 trillion on defense in 2025. Alliance countries are strengthening their armed forces amid Russia’s war against Ukraine and pressure from the US.
According to the Alliance, in 2024, more than 10 of the 32 NATO members did not meet the 2% target agreed in 2014. However, 2025 data show that all allies have reached this goal, with seven countries hitting the 2.0% minimum and several others slightly exceeding it.
The highest NATO defense spenders are Poland at 4.48% of GDP, Lithuania at 4%, and Latvia at 3.73%.
