The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has downplayed the information suggesting that the United States could consider suspending Spain from NATO. As he explained, the Executive has not received any official communication supporting these leaks and, therefore, considers that they do not constitute a solid basis for opening a diplomatic conflict. Sánchez stressed that his Government works on “official documents and formal positions”, avoiding reacting to unconfirmed information.
The alleged pressures from the Administration of Donald Trump would be framed within the defense spending of allied countries. Washington has criticized on several occasions that Spain does not reach certain levels of military investment, especially in relation to the objectives set within NATO. However, the Spanish Government insists that commitment is not measured solely in terms of GDP percentage, but also in real capabilities and contributions.
Sánchez defended that Spain is a “loyal partner” that fulfills its international responsibilities, recalling the active participation of the Armed Forces in different missions, especially in Eastern Europe to reinforce security against the Russian threat. Furthermore, he highlighted the support for Ukraine through financing and cooperation mechanisms promoted by NATO itself, which, in his opinion, demonstrates the country's effective commitment to international stability.
Lastly, the president recalled that at the last allied summit held in The Hague, new spending targets were agreed upon, although Spain expressed reservations about their strict application. In this regard, the Executive maintains that it can fulfill its commitments by allocating around 2.1% of GDP to defense, a figure it considers sufficient to guarantee both national security and obligations with its allies, thus maintaining a position of “absolute tranquility” in the face of criticism.
