For the first time in three decades, Germany appears set to meet NATO’s goal of spending at least 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense. This was reported by the German news agency DPA. According to the news agency, Germany has reported a record amount of defense spending to NATO for the current year.
Since Russia significantly expanded its aggression in Ukraine with a large-scale invasion, several NATO countries have significantly increased their military investments. Yet only 11 of NATO’s 31 current members adhered to the standard last year. After Trump said last weekend that countries that contribute too little do not deserve NATO protection as far as he is concerned, the 2 percent standard is again a topic of discussion.
Germany’s military expenditure will total $73.41 billion this year, according to DPA. That amount amounts to 2.01 percent of German GDP, just slightly above the 2 percent standard. The last time Germany met the target was in 1992, shortly after the end of the Cold War. About 20 of the 31 NATO member states are expected to meet the 2 percent standard this year.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised on Monday that Germany would adhere to the NATO standard this year. “That is urgently needed,” Scholz said, responding to Trump’s warning words. ‘We do not live in times of peace.’ Last year, Germany spent an estimated 1.57 percent of its GDP on defense.
Pepin the Tall
Also read this interview with America correspondent Maral Noshad Sharifi about Trump’s statements about NATO: ‘Americans are stunned by Trump’s statements’
Getty Images – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) on Monday during a visit to an arms factory in Unterluess, together with director Armin Papperger (center) of arms manufacturer Rheinmetall and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (right).
2024-02-14 21:00:00
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