Germany is supporting U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for the increase in defense spending targets for NATO members to 5% of their individual GDP, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Thursday.

Asked about reports from NATO Chief Mark Rutte that members of the alliance should increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP while offering an additional 1.5% stake in broader security-related matters, Wadephul said he believes the proposal is coordinated with the United States, including with the United States - and discussed at the ongoing NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

"But the result is indeed a 5% result that President Trump asked for, and he thinks it's necessary and we're paying attention to him in that regard."

Trump has long asked NATO members to pay higher defense costs, and so far some of them have not even reached their existing 2% target. Some countries like Poland have promised to increase their defense spending by up to 5% in the coming years, while others are more cautious and critical of the prospect of higher spending.

According to NATO estimates that Germany spent about 2% of its GDP on defense in 2024. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a press conference with NATO Rutte that 1% of the country's GDP represents about 45 billion euros ($50 billion).

The next NATO summit will make decisions on higher defense spending targets in late June.

Wadephul also met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio while watching Thursday's event. Wadephul said in an article on social media platform X that their conversation “is a great start, especially when diplomatic affairs are at risk.”

Wadephul suggested in his speech to reporters that there is close consistency between Germany and the United States in foreign policy matters.

“The United States is very happy with Germany’s achievements,” Vodav said. “I said we are ready to play a leadership role in Europe, be role models and invite others to follow us.”

Defense and military affairs appear to be high on the agenda of the new German government, with alliance partners pushing changes in the country’s long-standing debt rules through parliament earlier this year. The shift aims to achieve higher defensive spending.

In a parliamentary speech on Wednesday, Germany's Melz also discussed defense and security policies, explaining that the goal was to make Germany and Europe so powerful that they did not need to use weapons.

"We want to be able to defend ourselves so that we don't have to defend ourselves," CNBC translator said. Melz also said that the German army would gain financial means and it needed to become "the most powerful army in Europe in tradition."

Meles further vowed to take more responsibility in NATO and Europe.