Lithuania pledges to spend between 5% and 6% of its GDP on defense starting in 2026

By By Liudas Dapkus, The Associated Press

Posted Jan 17, 2025 06:19:09 AM.

Last Updated Jan 17, 2025 06:31:15 AM.

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania has decided to raise its spending on defense to between 5 and 6% of overall national economic output starting in 2026, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said Friday.

The Baltic nation currently spends a bit over 3%. With the president’s pledge, it becomes the first NATO nation to vow to reach a 5% goal recently called for by President-elect Donald Trump.

Nausėda said the “historic decision” was taken by the State Defense Council on Friday.

By Liudas Dapkus, The Associated Press

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