NATO Grapples with Defense Costs Amid Rising Russian Threats and U.S. Election Uncertainty

NATO's recent summit in Washington was overshadowed by the Ukraine conflict and the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The alliance's military planners are tackling the significant financial burden of upgrading Europe's defenses. With budget constraints among member states and potential shifts in U.S. support, NATO is strategizing to meet its defense targets by autumn 2025.

At a NATO summit in Washington this month, discussions were dominated by the Ukraine war and the looming U.S. presidential election. However, behind the scenes, NATO military planners are grappling with the significant financial burden of bolstering Europe's defenses.

Leaders had agreed last year on a comprehensive overhaul of NATO's defense capabilities, amid mounting fears of Russian aggression. Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that these upgrades will necessitate billions in funding and detailed the shortfalls in key defense areas.

Adding to the complexity, the U.S. presidential election has raised concerns about future support from NATO's preeminent power. European members will need to significantly hike their military spending to fill the gap, a contentious issue given existing budget constraints.

(With inputs from agencies.)