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Czech PM Rejects Faster Defense Spending, Targets 2% in 2027

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 1:03 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis says Prague cannot afford faster defense-spending increases.
U.S. NATO envoy Matthew Whitaker told Prague it must stay committed to raising defense spending.
Czechia spent 1.86% of GDP on defense last year, missing NATO’s 2% target.
Babis pledged to reach the 2% NATO target in 2027 without further defense-spending increases.
The 2027 budget, approved September 22, projects a 386-billion-crown deficit while prioritising social spending.

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Story summary

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis says Prague cannot afford faster defense-spending increases.
U.S. NATO envoy Matthew Whitaker told Prague it must stay committed to raising defense spending.
Czechia spent 1.86% of GDP on defense last year, missing NATO’s 2% target.
Babis pledged to reach the 2% NATO target in 2027 without further defense-spending increases.
The 2027 budget, approved September 22, projects a 386-billion-crown deficit while prioritising social spending.