NATO has set out a planned near-term increase to defence spending by its member nations, as the alliance continues to evolve in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday he was confident that members of the NATO alliance would sign up to Donald Trump's demand for a major boost in defence spending, adding that it had to happen by a summit later in June.

As well as a rise in pure defence spending to 3.5% by 2035, Sir Keir Starmer will also likely be forced to commit a further 1.5% of GDP to defence-related areas such as spy agencies and infrastructure.