NATO Envoy Faults Czech Defense Spending as Babiš Targets 2% GDP

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker on Friday told a Prague defense conference the Czech Republic has not made more progress on the Hague Defence Commitment and is trending toward the bottom of the alliance on defense spending. He said he delivered that message in person, including to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. Whitaker said the United States remains committed to NATO and is not stepping back, but expects allies to step up and equalize with the United States. A March-approved budget sets Czech defense spending at roughly 1.7% to 1.8% of GDP this year. Babiš said spending will reach 2% of GDP next year. NATO members agreed in 2014 to a 2% baseline and at the 2025 Hague summit to 3.5% of GDP on core defense plus 1.5% on related security spending by 2035. Whitaker previously posted on X that the moment requires 5% as the standard. Finance Minister Alena Schillerová called 5% unrealistic. Coalition partner SPD wants to cut next year's defense budget; Tomio Okamura told Novinky more money is going to citizens. President Petr Pavel has urged higher spending. No contested claims found.