Why does Germany stand firmly by NATO?

What is NATO?  

NATOis a political and military defence alliance. It was founded on 4 April 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty. The alliance is designed to link the security of Europe and North America over the long term and protect shared values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law. At its core is the notion of collective defence: no member is to stand alone in the event of an attack. NATO comprises 32 countries from Europe and North America. The most recent members are Sweden (since March 2024) and Finland (since April 2023). 

What role does Germany play in NATO?  

Germany – at the time West Germany, the Federal Republic of Germany – joined NATO on 6 May 1955. From a German perspective, the alliance is a unique success story. It has guaranteed peace and security in Europe for decades and remains the central framework for protecting freedom, democracy and territorial integrity. Germany stands firmly by NATO and underlines this commitment with concrete capabilities: deployable armed forces, modern equipment for the Bundeswehr, robust infrastructure, and close, reliable coordination with its partners.  

What is at issue in the debate concerning national contributions?  

The debate centres on how much Europe should – and must – contribute to the alliance’s deterrence and defence alongside the United States and Canada. In place of the previous guideline of two per cent of GDP, NATO members agreed on a new investment pledge in 2025: by 2035, member states are to mobilise five per cent of GDP for defence and security-related purposes – at least 3.5 per cent for purely military spending and up to 1.5 per cent for security-related investments such as resilience, infrastructure and cyber security. Germany has explicitly welcomed these increased contributions. In 2025 alone, it raised its defence spending by around 20 per cent to more than 100 billion euros. 

What does Article 5 of the NATO treaty mean?  

Article 5 is the collective defence clause. An armed attack – or even a cyberattack – on a NATO member in Europe or North America can be treated as an attack on all allies. Each member then supports the country under attack with measures it considers necessary. This may include military assistance, but it does not have to. Article 5 has so far been invoked only once: after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 in the United States.  

Is NATO also an intervention alliance?  

NATO is first and foremost an alliance dedicated to collective defence. The North Atlantic Treaty does not establish any automatic obligation for military operations beyond this defensive purpose. Whether or not member states take part in missions is a political decision taken at national level.  

How does NATO operate in a crisis?  

In the event of a crisis or defence situation, the governments of member states decide whether and how they will contribute to specific measures. In order to ensure decisions can be implemented quickly and national armed forces can coordinate effectively, NATO has a permanent integrated military command structure. Its strategic headquarters is SHAPE, located near Mons in Belgium. From there, NATO command coordinates planning and operations. At the top is the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), the alliance’s highest military commander for the European area and head of NATO’s operational command.