Netherlands’ Deputy Prime Minister VVD party leader Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius speaks during a weekly press conference following the Council of Ministers in The Hague on April 10, 2026. (Photo by Robin Utrecht / ANP / AFP via Getty Images) / Netherlands OUT Robin Utrecht | Afp | Getty Images The U.S.’ call for allies to step up defense spending is legitimate, according to Dutch deputy prime minster Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius. Speaking to CNBC’s Sri Jegarajah on the sidelines of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Yesilgoz said that before the Ukraine war broke out, the Netherlands had relied a lot on allies. “So I think this is a very clear message, and it’s very important that every NATO ally has to make sure that we invest enough the 5% we agreed upon during the Hague summit. The Netherlands is doing this, and I urge also other countries to do so,” she added. Back in June 2025, NATO countries — except Spain — had committed to spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense, split into 3.5% for direct …