18 NATO states boost defense budgets to 2% of GDP

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that 18 out of the alliance's 31 member states are set to increase their defense budgets to 2% of GDP in 2024.

He hailed this surge as unprecedented, highlighting that only three NATO countries reached this mark back in 2014.

Stoltenberg didn't hold back in criticizing former US President Donald Trump, who is vying for a return to the White House. He expressed support for a Russian attack on alliance states that failed to meet defense spending requirements.

"Any insinuations that NATO allies won't stand by each other undermines our collective security, including that of the United States. It heightens risks for American and European military personnel," emphasized the secretary general.

The decision to hike defense spending to 2% of GDP was made in 2014, following Russia's annexation of Crimea and its incursions into eastern Ukraine. Some states have surpassed this threshold, such as Estonia, which allocates 3% of its GDP to defense.

A recent report from the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service warned of Russia's preparations for a military showdown with the West over the next decade. To counter the Russian threat, the proposal suggests establishing a robust coalition among countries bordering Russia.

"Russia has committed to a path of prolonged confrontation. In the coming decade, the Kremlin anticipates a clash with NATO. Failure to prepare would significantly raise the risk of a Russian assault," cautioned the head of the service, Kaupo Rosin.