Finland’s Stubb raises prospect of "more European NATO" ahead of Ankara summit

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has suggested that NATO could evolve into a “more European” alliance as member states move toward a more balanced distribution of defence spending.

In an interview with Al Arabia, Stubb said the key issue at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara this July will be the redistribution of the financial burden between the United States and its European allies, Caliber.Az reports.

He noted that Washington is likely to push for Europe to assume greater responsibility for security.

According to Stubb, current defence spending within the alliance stands at roughly a 60–40 split in favour of the United States.

He said NATO could shift toward a more balanced model—potentially 50–50 or even 40–60 in Europe’s favour.

Stubb added that efforts to raise defence spending by NATO members to 5% of GDP could contribute to shaping a “more European NATO.”

At the same time, Stubb acknowledged existing tensions between the United States and European countries amid ongoing political rhetoric.

European nations, he said, must take on greater responsibility for their own security.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov