Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, announced on Tuesday from The Hague that NATO’s new commitment to raise defense spending offers a significant opportunity for Hungary. Under this commitment, member states are now expected to allocate at least 5 percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defense within ten years. Szijjártó highlighted that since Donald Trump’s first North Atlantic Alliance meeting eight years ago, all member states have theoretically met the 2 percent GDP defense spending target, with Hungary consistently doing so for the past three years. This newly set 5 percent target, proposed by Donald Trump, will be applied to two distinct categories within a decade.
Szijjártó emphasized that this increased commitment brings significant economic development opportunities for Hungary, given its substantial investments in the defense industry in recent years. He anticipates a growing demand for this sector in the near future. He also pointed out that NATO members are mandated to spend 20 percent of their defense budgets on development and procurement. Hungary has been a leader in this area, ranking fourth in the alliance last year by dedicating 45 percent of its defense budget to modernization, new equipment, and development. This commitment ensures the security of Hungary and its citizens during times of crisis.
The Foreign Minister also noted a shift in focus at the NATO summit, with the primary emphasis now on strengthening collective defense rather than solely supporting Ukraine. He welcomed the fact that Ukraine’s NATO membership has been “openly, clearly and unambiguously” removed from the agenda, observing that Ukraine’s president was not invited to the official part of the meeting. Szijjártó expressed his conviction that removing Ukraine’s NATO membership from the agenda makes the world a safer place, as its inclusion would have led to a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, potentially escalating to a third World War. He praised Donald Trump’s peace efforts, hoping NATO would unite behind this policy, believing that the conflict in Ukraine can only end through negotiation, not on the battlefield. Szijjártó also highlighted Hungary’s contributions to allied security, including its air policing tasks in Slovakia, Croatia, and Slovenia, and the upcoming return of Hungarian contingents to the Baltic States.