The defense ministers of Europe’s five top military spenders say they intend to continue increasing their investments in defense but described President-elect Donald Trump’s challenge for them to raise spending to 5% of their overall economic output as extremely difficult.

Defense ministers from Poland Germany France Britain and Italy so-called the European Five E5 gathered in Poland on Monday for a meeting to tal

Defence Ministers from Poland, Germany, France, Italy and the UK met in Warsaw on Monday to discuss European security matters in a new five-way format established in the wake of Donald Trump's US presidential election win.

Poland, which borders both Russia and Ukraine, aims to spend 4.7 percent of its GDP on defense this year — by far the highest of any NATO member. The United Kingdom, France and Germany spend nearer to 2 percent — the current NATO target — while Italy languishes at 1.49 percent.

WARSAW, Poland — The defense ministers of ... "In my opinion, that’s what matters." From left: Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Britain's Ministry of Defence ...

near Warsaw, Poland, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) From left: Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Britain's Ministry of Defence, Poland's Minister of ...