NATO’s Stoltenberg expects allies to elevate defence spending goal

BERLIN: NATO Secretary Basic Jens Stoltenberg expects the alliance’s member states to lift their present spending goal on defence of two% of nationwide output after they meet for a summit in Vilnius in July, he informed German newspaper Die Welt.

“I assume that there shall be a brand new goal for defence spending once we meet for the NATO summit in Vilnius in July this 12 months,” Stoltenberg informed Welt.

“The 2 p.c goal was initially for a decade, so till 2024, so now we have to replace it now.”

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Stoltenberg mentioned he couldn’t but say what the member states would agree on. “However I assume that it will likely be a extra formidable goal than earlier than, as a result of everyone sees that we have to make investments extra,” he added.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February final 12 months, many allies have elevated their army spending.