NATO countries are using creative math to meet the U.S. president’s demand to more than double annual spending, partly by expanding what counts beyond soldiers and weapons.

NATO defense ministers are set to approve plans to buy more weapons and military equipment to better defend Europe, the Arctic and North Atlantic.

Gathered Thursday at the headquarters of the alliance in Brussels, the defense ministers of the 32 allied countries confirmed their commitment to strengthening their respective armed forces and to investing in new military equipment to ensure the continent's defense in the face of the Russian threat.