The defense ministers of the NATO countries discussed on Thursday further cooperation with Ukraine and the ongoing expansion of the alliance’s deterrence and defense capabilities. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also provided information regarding the development of member states’ defense spending at the meeting in the alliance headquarters in Brussels.
According to the latest data, an unprecedented increase in defense spending by Member States was recorded last year. However, around a third of the alliance states are likely to miss the NATO goal of spending two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense this year. These include countries such as Italy, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized on Thursday before the meeting that Germany will meet the two percent mark this year. “This is an important signal. Security doesn’t come for free.” Germany’s claim must be to be, together with others, the “conventional backbone” of defense. In addition, Germany is NATO’s “logistical hub” in Europe. “This means we are taking on leadership roles.”
Financial goal met earlier
France also wants to meet NATO’s financial target this year – a year earlier than originally planned. France will spend two percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense in 2024, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced. Stoltenberg confirmed that this year 18 of the 31 member states are meeting the two percent target of investing at least two percent of economic output in defense. However, NATO “still has a way to go” here.
However, the focus of the discussions was once once more on continued support for Ukraine. This is particularly lacking in ammunition; the Russian armed forces have recently made advances on the Eastern Front. Stoltenberg warned the US House of Representatives once morest blocking President Joe Biden’s planned military aid. “We are already seeing the impact of the US not being able to make a decision so far,” he said, referring to warnings of an ammunition shortage in Ukraine. He therefore expects an agreement.
“If we let President Putin win, it would not only (…) be a tragedy for the Ukrainians, but also dangerous for us.” It is in one’s own security interest to continue supporting Ukraine.
After a long delay, one of the two chambers of Congress, the Senate, recently approved plans for new aid to Ukraine worth around 60 billion US dollars (56 billion euros).
Zelenskyj and Wang come to Munich
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj comes to the Munich Security Conference and also meets US Vice President Kamala Harris there. The White House announced the conversation between the two on Saturday in the Vice President’s official program for her visit to Germany. Harris will also meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Munich. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also expected in Munich.
Wang also wants to travel to Spain and France. This was announced by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Wang will deliver a speech at the China seminar during the Munich conference and take part in a strategic dialogue during his visit to France. The British newspaper “Guardian” reported that Wang would also meet British Foreign Minister David Cameron in Munich.
Around 50 heads of state and government as well as more than 100 ministers from all over the world are expected to attend the security conference at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel from Friday to Sunday. Among them is Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, European Minister Karoline Edtstadler, National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP) and Justice Minister Alma Zadic (Greens) are expected from Austria. The governments of Russia and Iran are not invited.
