Germany taking the lead in hiking defence spending, NATO's Rutte says

ANTALYA, Turkey, May 15 (Reuters) - NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Thursday Germany was "taking the lead" in hiking its defence spending, as European countries continue to stand by Ukraine in a world upended by President Donald Trump's reversal of U.S. policies.

"Germany is really taking the lead here," Rutte told reporters after a meeting with foreign affairs ministers from NATO countries in Antalya, Turkey.

"It is clear that the German government has committed to spend much more on defence. I am really happy about this because it is the biggest economy in Europe and the second biggest in NATO."

Earlier, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin backed a demand by U.S. President Donald Trump for members of the defence alliance to increase defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP).