NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has issued a stark warning, urging European nations to dramatically increase their defense spending and adopt a “wartime mindset.” His call comes amidst growing concerns about global instability and escalating tensions, particularly stemming from Russia’s aggression. Speaking to the BBC, Stoltenberg echoed President-elect Donald Trump’s past criticisms of European reliance on US military protection, stating that increased defense spending is not merely advisable, but crucial for preserving European values and democracy.
Stoltenberg’s comments follow a speech at the Carnegie Europe think tank in Brussels, where he explicitly stated that it’s ‘time to shift to a wartime mindset.’ He highlighted the threat posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming Putin aims to “wipe Ukraine off the map.” This assertion underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency behind Stoltenberg’s call for increased defense spending. He emphasized that the current NATO target of 2% of GDP allocated to defense is insufficient, declaring, “I can tell you, we are going to need a lot more than 2%.”
This sentiment is echoed by others. The i newspaper quoted former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who suggested that a 3% GDP allocation would be necessary to ensure UK armed forces are “match fit.” The UK government has pledged a path towards 2.5% GDP spending on defense, with further details expected in the coming months. A Number 10 spokesman affirmed the UK’s commitment to NATO and its significant role as the third largest defense spender within the alliance after the US and Germany.
The urgency of the situation has also been highlighted by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who recently urged European NATO members to take defense spending seriously. Speaking at a meeting of NATO’s foreign ministers, Lammy pointed to multiple global conflicts, directly linking Russia’s influence to the escalating instability in various regions, including the Middle East, Sudan, and Syria. He emphasized that increased defense spending across NATO allies is paramount in the face of these escalating challenges. The UK, currently at 2.3% GDP expenditure on defense, is striving to reach the 2.5% target as soon as possible.
Stoltenberg’s call for a ‘wartime mindset’ and increased spending underscores the growing perception of a heightened global threat landscape. The consensus emerging among leading NATO figures suggests a significant shift in European defense strategies is imminent, driven by a reassessment of existing security challenges and a renewed focus on collective defense capabilities.
