Poland calls on Germany to increase military spending

Germany should increase its defense spending to set an example for the European Union as doubts grow about the US military support for Ukraine.

This was stated by Poland's Deputy Defense Minister Cezar Tomczyk, RBC-Ukraine reports citing his interview with Bloomberg.

Tomczyk also supported exploring new financing schemes, such as issuing joint EU debt to finance military spending, which “will allow us to buy more and be even better prepared” in the face of Russia's growing belligerence. Berlin opposed the jointly issued debt.

“Today Europe is in a crisis of leadership,” Tomczyk said. “We have to demand more from the center of Europe, especially from Germany.”

Poland's irritation with its western neighbor comes amid fears that Donald Trump's return to the White House will cut military aid to Ukraine to push Kyiv to a ceasefire with Russia.

Trump has also questioned his country's support for other NATO allies if they do not meet the goal of spending 2% of economic output on defense. Although Warsaw remains the most wasteful in the alliance, a large-scale military buildup is likely to burden its budget.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 10/12/2024