Pentagon chief warning in Brussels: relying on America is not enough

Prior to the NATO summit in Brussels, US Defense Minister Pete Hegst said that NATO’s commitment to the defense cost of 5 % of GDP will “definitely be implemented.”

“NATO’s commitment to spending 5 % of GDP will be fulfilled in the field of defense,” Hegst told reporters. “To be a member of a unity, one must be prepared for war.”

“We are here to continue the work started by President Trump; That is, commitment to a 5 % cost of defense for the whole of this alliance, which we believe will be implemented. “This should be done until the Hague meeting late this month.”

The US -led president has called on NATO members to raise their defense budgets to five percent at the June and 2nd meeting in the Netherlands.

NATO Secretary -General Mark Route has also made a compromise proposal, which comprises 2.5 percent of GDP for the main military spending by year 2 and 4.3 % for broader security areas such as infrastructure.

Several diplomats say Rate is on the way to finalize the agreement for the Hague meeting; NATO is facing a “Russian threat” after more than three years of war in Ukraine. But some allies still doubt the commitment to such a level of spending.

“The reason for my presence is to make sure that every country in NATO understands that everyone has to take a shoulder; “Each country must participate at five percent.”

“Our message will still be clear; Deterrence and peace through power. But one cannot rely. “One cannot and should not be relied on in a world full of threats.”

Spain, which has not yet reached NATO’s current goal of two percent GDP, is most opposed and is expected to reach this level by the end of this year.

Diplomats say other countries are also bargaining to prolong the timing and eliminate the annual increase in the main defense cost. But the agreement seems to be acceptable to most members; An agreement allowing Trump to claim to have reached his original demand, while in practice expectations for European allies have declined.

The United States has supported the Rate’s plan, but Washington insists that every country must provide a “reliable path” to achieve the goal.

In a relevant move, the NATO ministers are set to set new goals for the military capability needed to deteriorate from Russia at their meeting.

German Defense Secretary Boris Pistorius estimated that according to new needs, Berlin should add about 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers to his army.

His Dutch counterpart, Ruben Barcrims, said that reaching the required level would cost at least 2.5 percent of GDP for the Netherlands.

AFP writes that it is not only the fear of Moscow that has led Europe to increase its military ambitions, but also doubts about the US commitment to the continent.

“What is decided in the Hague and what we spend on defense is the new defense investment program, which is based on our real needs in terms of military capability,” Route said.

Formerly a television presenter, Hegest shocked NATO on his previous trip in February that Washington may want to reduce his military presence in Europe to focus on China.

The end of the message