US ambassador: Russia, China drive urgent need for higher military budgets

US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker has called on alliance members to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP, citing intensifying security threats posed by Russia and China.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Whitaker emphasised that the request reflects not just American interests, but the demands of global security realities, Caliber.Az reports via foreign website. 

Whitaker said that it was not the United States making the demand, but rather the alliance's adversaries.

“Russia has announced, I believe, a second army. If you’re on the eastern flank, you understand the threat. I have always said that the biggest threat to the Euro-Atlantic Alliance is Russia,” he said.

Whitaker also highlighted the long-standing strategic rivalry with China, describing Beijing as a growing force that poses a significant threat to global peace and security. Reaffirming US commitment to NATO, the ambassador stressed Washington’s intent to build consensus around the proposed defence spending increase, and specifically named Spain as a country the US hopes to persuade, after Madrid previously rejected the 5 per cent target. 

As for Ukraine, Whitaker confirmed that discussions about Kyiv’s potential NATO membership are not currently on the alliance’s agenda. He stated that the issue of Ukraine joining NATO was not currently under discussion. He added that the US was not the only NATO member holding this view, and emphasised that the final decision would rest with President Trump and all 32 allied nations, who would need to reach a unanimous agreement. Whitaker also clarified that no new commitments regarding military aid to Ukraine have been made.

Instead, Washington is prioritising diplomatic efforts aimed at creating conditions for ending the conflict. He added that they expected Europe to take the lead in providing Ukraine with the resources needed to secure lasting peace. He stressed that Europeans had a vital interest in ensuring peace on their own continent, and that the US would continue doing everything in its power to support them.

By Naila Huseynova