In the run-up to the summit, Spain emerged as the lone holdout against the spending target. Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s prime minister, is in a tight spot at home, battling allegations of corruption by his aides and unable to pass a budget. “A 5% spending would be disproportionate and unnecessary,” he said on June 22nd.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised President Donald Trump for making Europe “pay in a BIG way,” as leaders gathered in the Netherlands on Tuesday for a historic summit that could unite them around a new defense spending pledge or widen divisions among the 32 member countries of the security alliance.