The Trump administration presses NATO to increase defense spending by 5 %
propagandaThe Trump administration wants to hear this week how European member states are in Take Canada plans to increase defensive expenses from 5 % Subordinate StartThe new US envoy, Matthew Whitker, said. At a press conference before a meeting of NATO ministers abroad in Torke, American Ambassador Matthew Whitker insisted that the number is 5 %. “We ask our allies to invest in their defense as if it were dangerous.”
“You are not wrong, this ministerial meeting will be different,” said Whitaker.5 % is not just a number; It is a necessity for our security. The coalition faces major threats. “In 2023, when it is the big domain war Russia against Ukraine They entered their second year, and NATO leaders agreed to spend at least 2 % of GDP on national defense budgets. So far, 22 of 32 countries have done so, and the leaders will appoint a New goal In one The summit in The Hague he June 25.
Trump, who asked that the United States is defending the allies to spend a very little, insists that NATO members should adhere to spending at least 5 %, but that will require a Investing on an unprecedented scale. NATO leaders insisted on the top of last year.Russia still A more important and direct threat For the safety of the allies, “but some countries worried about Trump’s ties with President Vladimir Putin.
Last week, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Show said that the NATO president hoped to aspire to the leaders. 3.5 % of fixed military spending By 2032, “already” a 1.5 % related spendingLike infrastructure, cybersecurity and such things. It can also be achieved for 2032. “
Although the two numbers are 5 %, taking into account the infrastructure and cybersecurity would change the rule in which NATO is traditionally calculated. Defense expenses. he Seven years It is also Short for usual standards From the alliance. When asked about the request, the Secretary -General of NATO, Mark Roti, did not deny, but he said: “I will not confirm the numbers.” He also pointed out that “there are many rumors that float,” while envoys argue the goal of the new spending.
It seems that Whitaker confirms the “Investing in Defense” plan, saying that it “also includes things such as mobility and the necessary infrastructure, Cyber security. It is definitely Something more than missilesTanks and obusees. “But at the same time, it should be associated with defense. “It is not a bag for surprises for everything that can be imagined,” Whitaker added.
It is still difficult to know the number of allies who can reach 3.5 % of GDP in defense investment. The latest estimates in NATO show that 22 allies will reach the goal of 2 % last year, in front of previous expectations from 23 space He hopes to reach a 2 % goal in 2025, and he is late.
In addition, this is calculated USA It will spend 3.19 % of GDP in 2024, less than 3.68 % of a decade, when all members promised to increase spending after Russia was included in the Ukrainian Crimea Peninsula. He is The only ally whose expense decreased.
Whitaker also said that any European investment in “the capabilities of the defense industry should also include a A fair treatment for American companies Defense technology.
He also said that our exclusion and others “undermine NATO’s inter -operation, slowing the re -delivery of Europe, increasing costs and drowning innovation.” Last month, European Union A New motivation To break the US dependence on security, focusing on buying more defense equipment in Europe.
