A record 23 out of 32 Nato member nations are expected to meet the Western military alliance’s defense spending target this year, according to Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg. This is a significant increase from 2021, when only six nations met the goal, and is largely attributed to the heightened threat of expanding conflict in Europe due to Russia‘s war in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg focused on the growing commitment of European nations to their collective security, noting that defense spending across European allies and Canada has increased by nearly 18% this year alone. During a meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House, Stoltenberg highlighted the mutual benefits of the alliance, stating, “Nato is good for US security, but Nato is also good for US jobs.”
The surge in defense spending reflects the concerns surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine, with countries like Poland and Estonia, both of which border Russia, spending high percentage of their GDP on defense.
Nato summit to discuss Ukraine’s membership
The upcoming Nato summit in Washington next month is expected to focus on addressing the needs of Ukraine as it faces attacks from Russia, as well as the potential for Ukraine’s eventual membership in the alliance.
Stoltenberg stressed the importance of Ukraine joining Nato as a means of deterring future aggression from Russia, saying, “When the fighting ends, Nato membership for Ukraine assures that the war really ends.” However, the prospect of Ukraine’s membership remains a contentious issue, with Russia vehemently opposed to the idea.
Amidst war in Ukraine, the country’s forces face significant challenges, including a shortage of troops, ammunition, and air defenses.
Nato’s defense expenditure over years
Following the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991, which appeared to eliminate the primary security risk to the West, defense expenditure by numerous European nations decreased.
However, after Russia seized Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Nato members unanimously agreed to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense within a decade. The comprehensive invasion initiated by Putin in 2022 prompted European countries suddenly finding themselves at the forefront of a war in Europe’s center to allocate additional funds towards achieving this objective.
(With agency inputs)
Stoltenberg focused on the growing commitment of European nations to their collective security, noting that defense spending across European allies and Canada has increased by nearly 18% this year alone. During a meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House, Stoltenberg highlighted the mutual benefits of the alliance, stating, “Nato is good for US security, but Nato is also good for US jobs.”
The surge in defense spending reflects the concerns surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine, with countries like Poland and Estonia, both of which border Russia, spending high percentage of their GDP on defense.
Nato summit to discuss Ukraine’s membership
The upcoming Nato summit in Washington next month is expected to focus on addressing the needs of Ukraine as it faces attacks from Russia, as well as the potential for Ukraine’s eventual membership in the alliance.
Stoltenberg stressed the importance of Ukraine joining Nato as a means of deterring future aggression from Russia, saying, “When the fighting ends, Nato membership for Ukraine assures that the war really ends.” However, the prospect of Ukraine’s membership remains a contentious issue, with Russia vehemently opposed to the idea.
Amidst war in Ukraine, the country’s forces face significant challenges, including a shortage of troops, ammunition, and air defenses.
Nato’s defense expenditure over years
Following the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991, which appeared to eliminate the primary security risk to the West, defense expenditure by numerous European nations decreased.
However, after Russia seized Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Nato members unanimously agreed to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense within a decade. The comprehensive invasion initiated by Putin in 2022 prompted European countries suddenly finding themselves at the forefront of a war in Europe’s center to allocate additional funds towards achieving this objective.
(With agency inputs)
