On Tuesday, NATO leader Jens Stoltenberg said seven of 30 countries fulfilled NATO’s military expenditure objective of 2% of GDP in 2022, one less than in 2021 when Russia invaded Ukraine. However, he urged partners to increase defense investment faster.
At a press briefing at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Stoltenberg said the alliance had expected two more countries to fulfill the objective.
“But because GDP has expanded more than predicted for a handful of partners, two allies we expected to be at 2% are now somewhat below 2%,” he added.
Stoltenberg said NATO’s yearly report will indicate which nations met the target.
He pushed partners to increase military expenditure faster.
“We must accomplish more, quicker. Defence spending growth is too slow “Stoltenberg. “A more hazardous world requires stronger defense.”
NATO leaders pledged to spend 2% of GDP on defense within a decade at their 2014 Wales summit.
Months after Russia’s takeover of Crimea, that choice was a response to Europe’s deteriorating security.
NATO partners began discussing adjusting the expenditure objective a few weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, over ten years after the Wales vow.
During a NATO meeting in Lithuania in July, Stoltenberg stressed that the 2% aim would be a floor, not a ceiling.
Some allies want to increase military investment in the European conflict, while others are hesitant.
Comment Template