(MENAFN) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has emphasized that European NATO nations should prioritize diplomacy to avoid the continent becoming “armed to the teeth” in the coming decade.

Sanchez’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions in the EU and NATO about increasing military capabilities, with Russia depicted as an immediate threat—an assertion Moscow has dismissed as a diversion from Europe’s domestic challenges.

In an interview with a newspaper published on Sunday, Sanchez questioned, “What kind of world do we want to leave to our young people when they reach our age? A world in which European countries spend 5% of their budgets on defense?”

He stressed the need for diplomatic efforts to ensure that, by 2035, Europe “stands for solidarity and the defense of international law” rather than excessive armament.

Earlier this year, the European Commission unveiled a proposed €800 billion ($926 billion) rearmament initiative, citing Russia as a perceived threat.

In parallel, European NATO countries have agreed to increase military expenditure to 5% of GDP by 2035, under pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has long insisted that European allies “pay their share” within the US-led alliance.

Despite these commitments, several European states—including Spain, Hungary, and Slovakia—have expressed doubts about the push for militarization.

Last month, Trump threatened to levy tariffs on Spain due to Sanchez’s hesitancy to meet NATO’s 5% spending target. Just days earlier, the US president suggested Spain could potentially be “thrown out” of the alliance for falling behind on military contributions.

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