U.S. is right to ask allies to spend more on defense, Dutch deputy PM says Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius supports the U.S. call for allies to increase defense spending, urging NATO members to meet the agreed-upon 5% of GDP commitment. She noted that public support for defense spending has grown in the Netherlands since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Yesilgoz-Zegerius stressed the importance of burden-sharing for collective security, stating that nations must invest in their defense to have a voice in global affairs.

• Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius believes the U.S. call for allies to increase defense spending is legitimate.
• She urges all NATO allies to invest sufficiently, referencing the 5% of GDP agreement from the Hague summit.
• Public support for increased defense spending has risen in the Netherlands following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• Yesilgoz-Zegerius emphasizes the need for burden-sharing and collective security, stating that nations must step up their defense to have a voice at the table.
• The Netherlands spent approximately 2.2% of its GDP on defense in 2025.
• U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has criticized European countries for not spending enough on their own defense.