PM rules out raising Czech defence spending to 3.5% of GDP

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) has ruled out raising defence spending to 3.5% of GDP. In an interview with Deník.cz, Babiš said Ukraine is not a priority for his government and that the war should be addressed by US President Donald Trump, European leaders, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

NATO members agreed last year to raise defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, with an additional 1.5% for related non-military investments. Babiš stressed that the Czech Republic will not follow this path, saying the government’s priority is the health of its citizens.