Britain demands that allies increase NATO's defense target to 2.5% of GDP

The North Atlantic Alliance should increase its defense spending for member countries to 2.5% of GDP.

This was stated by British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, Politico reports.

"We're now saying we think that should be 2.5 percent. We think in a more dangerous world that would make sense," he said.

Currently, NATO countries are expected to spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense, and 18 NATO members currently meet this requirement. Germany reached this figure for the first time this year.

At the same time, former US President and current candidate Donald Trump said that he would not defend countries that have not reached this goal if they are attacked, which has led to a fierce debate in Europe over defense spending.

Shapps argued that there would be a "real difference" if other NATO members met the new target proposed by the UK.

"I will be arguing that, and I know that the prime minister (of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak - ed.) feels strongly about it when we go to the NATO 75th anniversary summit which is in Washington, D.C.," the minister said.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 24/04/2024