Pedro Sánchez's Executive boasts about the investment made in security and defense in recent months —which already stands at 2% of GDP and meets the capabilities objectives set by NATO— ahead of the Alliance summit that begins this Tuesday in Ankara (Turkey). At the same time, the Government interprets that the recent statements by Secretary General Mark Rutte, which question the path chosen by Spain, are actually aimed at appeasing the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
In La Moncloa, they emphasize that Spain arrives in Ankara with its homework done, after having achieved the goals agreed upon with its partners at the summit held last year in The Hague (Netherlands); at that meeting, Sánchez refused to raise spending to 5% of GDP because, in his opinion, 2% was sufficient to meet NATO's requirements.
In this regard, they underline that at the end of June, the Alliance's defense policy and plans committee certified that Spain had achieved its capability objectives for 2025, and moreover, with a compliance rate above the European average and that of allies such as Canada.
From Moncloa, they highlight that Spain ranks as the seventh country that has complied the most among NATO's 32 members, is the third state with the most personnel deployed in peace and security missions, and the one that maintains the largest number of troops on the eastern flank of Europe.
In line with this data, the Government insists that Spain is the second largest contributor in naval capabilities to the Alliance and the fourth in air capabilities. A contribution that, they emphasize, exceeds what would correspond to it based on its economic weight, since Spain is neither the second nor the fourth economy in the bloc.
Rutte asked for "credible" plans
Rutte has been insisting that Spain will have to spend more than it says and believes it should reach 5% and spend 3.5 billion euros instead of the 2.2 billion that Spain calculates. "Time will tell who is right, but I think I am," he even said.
This Monday, already from Ankara, the former Dutch Prime Minister urged allied countries to present "clear, concrete, and credible" plans on how they intend to reach the 5% target, although he applauded the achievements made so far. Although he did not mention Spain, it has been interpreted as a reference to our country.
In the Government they defend themselves and consider that Spain is not mentioned because it attends the summit "with the tranquility of having done its homework, with the data in hand and demonstrating that Spain always fulfills its commitments", as spokeswoman Elma Saiz said this Tuesday at a press conference in La Moncloa.
Discontent with the Secretary General
In this context, Executive sources maintain that these types of messages respond to an attempt to calm Donald Trump, who is very belligerent with several European partners whom he accuses of not contributing enough. They therefore demand rigor and to set aside beliefs or conjectures because, they emphasize, NATO's own figures show that Spain is complying.
In the Government, they acknowledge discontent with the Secretary General, although they frame these reproaches within a political narrative and assure that they are willing to endure them. They also trust that they will not translate into practical consequences for Spain because, beyond words, the data supports the commitment to security and collective defense.
In any case, Sánchez travels prepared to respond to eventual public criticism from Trump or Rutte and brings with him a repertoire of figures —such as those already mentioned— with which he intends to demonstrate that Spain is spending more and better and that it is fulfilling what was agreed upon.
The president lands this very Tuesday in Turkey without his wife, Begoña Gómez, who has been denied permission to travel to this country by the court investigating her after her passport was withdrawn. His arrival at the dinner offered by the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to the heads of state and government is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Spanish time.
On Wednesday, the main working session will take place, and it is not ruled out that Sánchez will hold bilateral meetings with other leaders on the sidelines of the event. Finally, around 2:30 p.m., the head of the Executive will hold a press conference.