The U.S.’s call for Europeans to spend more on militaries prompts talk of changing the rules for what counts as military spending.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived at NATO to reassure the alliance about Trump’s intentions but warn that it can’t rely so heavily on the United States anymore.

Worried about Russian aggression, some members on NATO’s eastern flank have ramped up spending well above the 2% mark. Poland already is at 5% of GDP, for example. Italy, Portugal and Spain, on the other hand, are yet to hit even the 2% level.

Italy is considering including police and coastguard services in its defence budget so it can point to a quick increase in security spending as its struggles to meet U.S.-led NATO targets, two government sources said.

The secretary of state’s trip comes amid an abrupt shift in relations between the United States and Europe after close cooperation during the Biden era.

Federal party leaders and candidates in the upcoming election say they are committed to getting Canada to meet NATO's current defence spending target of two per cent of GDP.

Pierre Poilievre said under a Conservative government Canada would make its own, sovereign decisions on increasing military spending as U.S. President Donald Trump once again puts pressure on NATO allies to boost defence budgets to 5 per cent of GDP.

European leaders are struggling to find the money and the political will to replace the bulk of the U.S. contribution to Ukraine and to their own defense.

We will know soon enough, in a matter of weeks, not months, whether Russia is serious about peace or not,’ said Rubio

NATO member Finland plans to quit a global convention banning anti-personnel landmines and boost defense spending to at least 3% of GDP by 2029 in response to the evolving military threat from Russia,