War in Ukraine. White House on new sanctions: Russia will be forced to make a difficult decision

NATO allies are unlikely to reach the 5 percent proposed by US President-elect Donald Trump. of the GDP spending target, but are ready to increase it from the current 2 percent. GDP, January 10 Reuters reported, citing comments from officials and analysts from various NATO countries.

January 7 D.Trump called for NATO’s spending target to be increased to 5%. GDP compared to the current 2 percent. for the purpose of NATO. Other NATO allies have called for increased spending in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“I think NATO should have 5 percent,” Trump said at a news conference in Florida, confirming earlier reports that the incoming US president is urging allies to increase defense spending to a level not yet reached by any NATO member. including the United States.

Although many NATO members do not support 5%. spending target, some NATO allies are open to increasing spending to a broadly agreed target. NATO members can agree to increase the spending target to 3 percent. GDP, Reuters reported.

“It looks like there’s going to be a change… I don’t think it’s going to be 5 percent, which is impossible for almost every country in the world right now, but … it’s not going to be the two (percent) we’re already trying to get to, but it’s going to be more than two Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told Reuters.

December 12 The newspaper “Financial Times” reported that the foreign ministers of the European countries of NATO have begun to consider a plan for how by 2030 gradually increase the alliance’s defense spending target from 2 percent. up to 3 percent of its GDP. According to the sources, the members of the alliance would first increase their expenses to 2.5 percent. GDP, and then by 2030 would reach 3 percent

D. Trump criticized NATO member states that do not comply with the current 2 percent. GDP expenditure target. Several NATO allies, including Italy, Canada and Spain, are not meeting the current target, although last year the number of allies meeting it increased to 24.

According to NATO calculations, in 2024 Poland will spend the largest share of its GDP on defense (4.12 percent), followed by Estonia (3.43 percent) and the United States (3.38 percent).

In the face of Russia’s war, Ukraine has drastically increased defense spending, even though it is not a NATO member. Ukraine in 2025 will spend 26 percent on defense costs. its GDP.