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The Czech Republic is once again under pressure regarding defense spending. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels confirmed that the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Albania did not meet the two percent of GDP threshold for defense spending last year, according to the alliance's methodology. However, he also emphasized that, in his opinion, the Czech government is "working hard" to fulfill this commitment this year. The statement came before Thursday's meeting of defense ministers from NATO member countries at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels.

Rutte's words come at a time when the two percent threshold is becoming more of a minimum than a goal. NATO, following last year's summit in The Hague, expects that allies will aim for total spending of five percent of GDP by 2035. Of this, 3.5 percent should go directly to defense and military capabilities, while up to 1.5 percent should be allocated to broader security areas, such as the protection of critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, civil preparedness, or strengthening the defense industry.

The Czech problem is also an accounting issue. This year, the Ministry of Defense stated that the total defense spending, including other categories, in the 2026 budget is planned at 184.694 billion crowns, which, according to the then-prediction, corresponds to approximately 2.06 percent of GDP. However, the debate revolves around what can actually be included in defense spending according to NATO rules. In May, Czech Radio reported that so-called "pure" defense costs may be significantly lower, around 1.74 percent of GDP.

According to Reuters, Rutte also said that European allies have increased their contributions to the forces that NATO has available in a crisis. This was in response to the decision by the United States to reduce the amount of American capacity allocated to alliance operations. Rutte, however, emphasizes that the United States will fulfill its commitments, while Europe and Canada must take on a greater share of responsibility.

For the Czech Republic, this means a politically uncomfortable situation. On the one hand, the government claims that it wants to fulfill the alliance's commitment. On the other hand, the opposition, the president, and part of the security community point out that what matters is not a budgetary trick, but real money for the army, ammunition, air defense, modernization of equipment, and the ability to respond quickly to threats.

Rutte's message is therefore clear: declarations are not enough; NATO wants a credible plan. And the Czech Republic will have to convince its allies in Brussels that two percent is not just a number in a table, but a real commitment to the defense of the state.

gnews.cz - GH ```