ISTANBUL 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday reaffirmed that Madrid would continue being a "key player" in the European and transatlantic defense architecture.

"Spain is and will continue to be a key player in the European and transatlantic defense architecture. That is our commitment, and I will convey it today at the NATO Summit," Sanchez wrote on X.

NATO leaders on Wednesday gathered in The Hague, Netherlands for a historic summit aimed at strengthening the alliance amid growing global threats, as alliance chief Mark Rutte proposed that all member states allocate 5% of their GDP to defense spending.

Sanchez, however, announced Sunday that Spain secured a deal with NATO allowing exemptions from the alliance’s 5% of GDP defense spending target.