NATO to show increase in spending after Trump’s remarks
Trump’s comments in a Saturday stump speech draw condemnation from leaders, including Joe Biden – whom he looks set to face in November’s election – and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
After Donald Trump threatened to encourage Russia to attack countries paying too little, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg is set to showcase increased defense spending by alliance members on Wednesday.
The Republican White House frontrunner was widely rebuked after saying he would not defend NATO members who had not met their financial obligations, in his most extreme broadside yet against the organization.
Trump’s comments in a Saturday stump speech drew condemnation from leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden – whom he looks set to face in November’s election – and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Scholz warned that casting doubt on NATO’s collective defence guarantee which has safeguarded Europe since World War II was “irresponsible and dangerous”.
Ahead of a meeting of defense ministers, Stoltenberg is due to unveil new estimates showing the number of NATO allies reaching the military spending target of 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) has almost doubled since last year.
Officials told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that around 20 of the alliance’s 31 members are expected to hit the target, up from just 11 in 2023.
NATO in 2014 set a target for members to spend 2% of their gross domestic product on defense in response to Russia’s seizure of Crimea from Ukraine.
During his time as president, Trump railed against Washington’s NATO allies to pressure them to spend more on defense – and he has claimed credit for increased spending.
Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 served as a wake-up call for European countries and saw NATO turn the 2% figure into a minimum requirement.
Key players like Germany have ramped up their defense spending and are expected to meet this year’s target.
However, the U.S. still accounts for most of the combined defense spending by NATO members.
Ukraine Support
Trump’s broadside against U.S. allies has raised the nightmarish specter for European officials of Washington tanking the 75-year-old alliance if he is re-elected.
It comes as warnings swirl that Russian President Vladimir Putin could look to target alliance members if Ukraine loses the war.
Stoltenberg said any suggestions that allies won’t defend each other “undermines all of our security” and puts U.S. and European soldiers at greater risk.
France said Europe needs another “life insurance” policy in addition to NATO to ensure the continent’s security.
Diplomats from multiple NATO countries counter that keeping the United States on board remains fundamental to deterring the threat from Russia.
But they also remain sanguine about Trump’s genuine threats, arguing that the alliance emerged unscathed from his first term.
While there is a focus on NATO’s own defense spending, the pressing issue of support for Ukraine will also be on the table at the meeting on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith pointed out that Europe has now surpassed the United States in its backing for Kyiv.
The U.S. Senate Tuesday approved long-delayed funding for Ukraine’s war effort, but the package looks to be rejected by the Republican-led lower house.
Doubts over the future of U.S. aid come as Ukraine’s forces find themselves outgunned in the face of a slow-moving Russian advance along the front line.
The meeting to rally more support for Kyiv was meant to be chaired in person by U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, but he was forced to cancel his trip to Brussels after being hospitalized.
Source: AFP
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