The North Atlantic Alliance should increase its defense spending for member countries to 2.5% of GDP, stated UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, according to Politico.
"We're now saying we think that should be 2.5 percent. We think in a more dangerous world that would make sense," said Shapps.
Currently, it is expected that NATO countries will spend 2% of their GDP on defense, and 18 NATO members currently meet this requirement. Germany reached this target for the first time this year.
At the same time, former US President and current candidate Donald Trump said that he would not defend countries that have not reached this goal if they were attacked, which has led to a fierce debate in Europe over defense spending.
Shapps argued that there would be a "real difference" if other NATO members met the proposed new target set by the United Kingdom.
"I will be arguing that, and I know that the prime minister feels strongly about it when we go to the NATO 75th anniversary summit which is in Washington, D.C," the secretary said.
Increase in NATO Spending
Russian aggression in Ukraine and concerns about the security of NATO countries have prompted Western states to significantly increase military budgets.
In Europe, there are calls for large-scale changes. European Council President Charles Michel has emphasized the need for the European Union to move to a war economy regime due to the potential threat from Russia.
Poland, which shares borders with Ukraine and Belarus, is not wasting time. President Andrzej Duda has appealed to NATO leaders to increase defense spending from 2% to 3% of GDP.
Norway, located near a strategically important sea, will also double its military spending over the next 12 years.
These measures illustrate the growing concern in the West about Russia's actions and the determination of countries to protect their security.
