NATO: Rubio-Want To See All Members Commit To 5% Of GDP On Defence Spending

Speaking at the start of a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claims that the US "is as active in NATO as it has ever been", and that it "will remain in NATO". Says that "hysteria" claiming the US will leave the alliance is "unwarranted". Says that President Donald Trump is not against NATO, but "against a NATO that lacks the necessary capabilities". Says that the US will need to increase defence spending, and that he wants to leave the meeting with 'every NATO member' committing and fulfilling to reach up to 5% of GDP spending on defence. 

• Poland remains the only NATO member even close to the 5% level (see chart below). For most, the prospect of 5% of GDP equivalent going on defence is not in the realms of possibility either politically or fiscally. US probably knows this and is pushing other members as far as they can go, with 3% potentially proving an acceptable floor in the medium term at least.
• Livestream of doorstep comments here. A North Atlantic Council (NAC) meeting w/FMs of Indo-Pacific partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea: 1530CET (0930ET, 1430BST),  Secretary General Mark Rutte delivering opening remarks. Rutte will deliver remarks alongside Ukrainian FM Andrii Sybiha at 1800CET (1200ET, 1700BST).
• Meeting continues tomorrow. Doorstep comments: 0730CET (0130ET, 0630BST), NAC meeting: 0900CET (0300ET, 0800BST), Rutte's closing presser: ~1245CET (0645ET, 1145BST). 

Chart 1. NATO Spending on Defence as % of GDP (2015 Prices)

Source: NATO