Estonia calls on NATO countries to spend over 2% of GDP on defense

NATO should consider increasing the minimum threshold for member states' defense spending, which is currently 2% of GDP.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to ERR.

Karis noted that NATO should prepare for the fact that Russia will become even more dangerous in the coming years than in the previous decade, and that it is becoming increasingly clear that defense spending at 2% is insufficient.

"We should discuss raising the desired defense spending to 2.5 or 3% of GDP," Karis said.

He added that it is also important to strengthen the air defense of NATO countries, in particular the “eastern flank”.

"Estonia is ready to deploy additional fighter jets and air defense systems on a rotational basis, as agreed at the previous NATO summit in Vilnius," the president said.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 08/07/2024