Germany rejects US proposal to boost NATO defence spending to 5% of GDP

Germany has expressed its support for increased defence spending among NATO countries but has rejected the US proposal to raise contributions to 5% of a country's GDP.

In an interview with French TV channel LCI, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated that while the US is pushing for the 5% target, it is far from meeting this threshold itself, lacking 1.8% to reach the proposed level, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Pistorius explained, "We in Europe are aware—not just because of Trump's words—that 2% of GDP on defence will not be enough for our armed forces to protect us from invasion or to act as a deterrent force."

The Minister also pointed out the significant financial strain such an increase would place on Germany, with raising defence spending to 5% of GDP potentially consuming 41–42% of the federal budget. In Latvia, the increase to 5% would account for 20% of its budget. He concluded, "Each country has its own needs; for some, 2% may suffice, while for others, 4% might be necessary."

By Aghakazim Guliyev