Years
Whitekar said that our target is five percent. He described it as necessary for our safety in view of increasing global threats. He insisted that the upcoming ministerial meeting is going to separate.
The Trump administration has urged NATO European members and Canada to make a dramatic increase in defense spending. This week, this demand has been raised by the Trump administration before the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Antalya, Turkey. US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitekar on Tuesday confirmed that Washington hoped that the allies would unveil concrete plans to meet the ambitious target. Whitekar said that our target is five percent. He described it as necessary for our safety in view of increasing global threats. He insisted that the upcoming ministerial meeting is going to separate. Currently, NATO countries are bound for 2 percent GDP defense spending in 2023 as Russia’s war in Ukraine has entered its second year. It is completed by only 22 of the 32 members of the benchmark alliance.
NATO colleagues have been criticized by President Donald Trump for a long time. They consider insufficient military investment, now putting pressure for a significant growth. However, to reach 5 percent – more than double the current minimum – unprecedented military investment in Europe and Canada will be required. Although Whitekar refused to list specific threats, NATO leaders have repeatedly cited Russia as a primary threat to coalition security. Nevertheless, Trump’s alleged proximity with Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to create concern among some member countries.
Apart from this, NATO General Secretary Mark Roote refused to confirm any new target, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Shuf suggested 3.5 percent for direct military expenses and 1.5 percent outline for related areas such as infrastructure and cyber security – both are to be achieved by 2032. Whitekar indicated openness to this broad definition, until the expenses remain defense-focused.
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