NATO demands: Increase defense spending to 3 percent!

NATO demands: Increase defense spending to 3 percent!

Brussels, Belgien - NATO general secretary Mark Rutte has urged the member states to drastically increase their defense spending! In view of the impending pressure by the future US President Donald Trump, it is time to ring the alarm bells. Rutte emphasizes that the current expenditure of 2 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) is not sufficient to maintain the necessary deterrent. "We can defend ourselves now, and nobody should try to attack us. But I want it to stay that way in four or five years," he said after a meeting of NATO Foreign Minister in Brussels.

NATO has increased its defense spending significantly almost a decade since the annexation of the Crimea by Russia. Rutte found that 23 of the 32 NATO members will reach the 2 percent goal this year-a huge increase compared to only three countries in 2014. But that's not enough! NATO leadership has made it clear that the 2 percent are just the beginning and that some countries may have to spend up to 3 percent of their GDP in order to successfully implement the new security plans.

urgent need for action

"We live in very dangerous times," warned British Foreign Minister David Lammy and asked all NATO partners to seriously increase defense spending. While Trump threatens not to help "delinquent" countries, NATO has developed a new strategy to react to the possible attacks by Russia. Secret plans provide to move up to 300,000 soldiers to the eastern flank of NATO within 30 days. These measures are crucial to ensure the security of the 32 allies.

U.S. Foreign Minister Antony flashing, who was preparing for his last visit to Brussels, emphasized: "Every ally has to be active now, do not lean back." A stronger NATO means more abilities for deterrent and a more stable future for all member states. Rutte also underlined the need to expand the European defense industry in order to secure arms stocks and increase production. "We don't produce enough at high prices and the deliveries are too slow," said Rutte. The time to act is now!