Stoltenberg awaits decision to increase defense spending by NATO countries

NATO member countries may choose to spend more on their defense next year than the currently set 2% of GDP when they meet at the next summit in Vilnius in July 2023. This was stated on Monday by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, writes “European Truth” with reference to Reuters.

“I expect that one way or another, although probably 2% will be saved, it will be saved as a minimum, and not a ceiling on defense spending,” NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said during a visit to Madrid.

“These are negotiations that will continue, but I am absolutely sure that ambitions will be increased one way or another, because now everyone sees the need for additional investment,” he added.

“I can’t tell you exactly what our allies will agree on when it comes to formulating defense spending commitments for the next decade or so… But I expect it to be an even stronger commitment to increase defense spending,” Stoltenberg said.

In response to Russia’s annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014, NATO leaders agreed to spend at least 2% of economic output on defense from 2024.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of this year, many allies have increased their military spending.

The next NATO Heads of State and Government meeting will take place in Vilnius on 11-12 July 2023.