Polish President Andrzej Duda has called for an urgent increase in NATO’s defense spending, citing fears of a potential Russian attack on the alliance within the next few years.
What Happened: Duda emphasized the need for NATO members to raise their military contributions to 3% of their gross domestic product (GDP) during an interview with CNBC. He referred to recent German research suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to target NATO in 2026 or 2027.
Duda stressed the urgency of increasing military investment to prevent a potential invasion, stating, “The alarm bells are ringing.”
“We have two or three years in which we can increase our efforts, stockpile ammunition and produce weapons to maximize European security, get ready and make sure the invasion does not happen,” he added.
Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, has been a vocal advocate for supplying weapons to Kyiv. The country has also bolstered its own military capabilities, increasing its defense spending to nearly 4% of GDP in 2023.
During a recent meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Duda called for NATO to raise its minimum military spending target to 3% of GDP to strengthen the alliance’s defenses further.
Why It Matters: The call for increased NATO spending comes at a time of heightened tension in Europe. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked concerns about the security of neighboring countries, leading to a push for stronger defense measures.
Sweden recently joined NATO after almost two years of uncertainty in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. This move has added to the alliance’s strength in the region.
Meanwhile, former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has criticized President Donald Trump‘s approach to NATO, suggesting that the alliance is essential for U.S. security. Bolton argued that Trump’s focus on NATO undermines U.S. strength by eroding alliances.
In a separate interview with Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia has no intention of expanding its war in Ukraine to other countries, including Poland. He suggested that Russia would only consider sending troops to Poland if Poland were to attack Russia.
NATO and Russia. Image by Stocker plus on Shutterstock
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