NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with ministers of defense in Brussels to discuss aid to Ukraine and boosting Europe’s military budget.
“I expect 18 Allies to spend 2% of their GDP on defense this year. A six-fold increase from only 3 Allies in 2014,” Stoltenberg mentioned.
The official underlined that NATO Allies in Europe will invest a total of $380 billion in defense during this year, which will amount to 2% of their total GDP.
He added: “By the end of 2024, European Allies and Canada will have added more than $600 billion for defense since we made the Defense Investment Pledge in 2014.”
“Together with NATO Allies, we account for 50% of the world’s economic might and 50% of the world’s military might,” he said during a press conference.
Stoltenberg recently announced that member countries of the alliance have entered into agreements for the procurement of new military supplies for Kyiv, amounting to $10 billion.
This development follows reports by the German newspaper Handelsblatt, which suggested that NATO is seeking to coordinate the delivery of arms to Ukraine.
On his part, U.S. President Joe Biden has affirmed that his country has spearheaded a coalition of 50 nations to stand in solidarity with Ukraine, thereby strengthening the NATO alliance.
“We cannot afford to back down now,” Biden declared during a press conference covered by “Cairo News Channel.”
Biden emphasized that ceasing support for Ukraine at this critical juncture would only serve Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interests.
He stressed the importance of not yielding to Putin’s demands, warning that conceding to halt support for Ukraine would be detrimental.
The American President further elaborated, “This issue extends beyond Ukraine. Putin’s thirst for power will not be satiated with Ukraine alone; the repercussions for the United States, its allies, and partners will escalate.
