NATO allies should prepare for a significant increase in defense spending, according to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who backed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s call for members to invest more in their own security. Trump has consistently advocated for NATO countries to move beyond the current target of 2 percent of GDP for defense spending, even suggesting in 2018 that this contribution be doubled to 4 percent. Rutte, acknowledging the validity of Trump’s stance, stressed the necessity of these increases during the European Political Community summit in Budapest, stating, “We will have to spend more ... It will be much more than the 2 percent. I’m clear about that.” 

 

During Trump’s first term in office, he frequently criticized European countries for falling short of their defense commitments, accusing them of relying too heavily on the United States for their security. In a rare agreement with Trump, Rutte affirmed, “He is right about this. You will not get there with the 2 percent.” Rutte’s support for increased contributions aligns with the sentiments of several NATO members who now recognize the need for bolstered military spending, especially since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which has heightened security concerns across Europe. 

 

A few countries, such as Germany, have recently made notable strides in ramping up military expenditures, overcoming historical reluctance. Meanwhile, Poland and the Baltic nations have already committed upward of 4 percent of their GDP to defense, citing the threat posed by Russian aggression. This shift represents a broader movement across NATO as more countries aim to meet or exceed the alliance’s minimum spending target. In 2014, only three NATO members fulfilled the 2 percent requirement, yet by 2023, that number had increased to 23 countries, a notable step forward in shared responsibility within the alliance.

 

Momentum for higher defense spending continues to build. The United Kingdom has pledged to reach 2.5 percent of GDP on defense within this decade, marking a substantial increase in its commitment. This evolving perspective was further emphasized by Andrius Kubilius, the incoming EU Defense and Space Commissioner, who stated during his European Parliament confirmation hearing, “We need to discuss — but that is perhaps for NATO, we can ask NATO to discuss — [whether] the 2 percent target [is] enough. From my point of view, it is not enough.”

 

Rutte’s comments ahead of his anticipated meeting with Trump in Budapest underscore a new chapter in U.S.-European defense relations. “I look forward to [sitting] down with Donald Trump to discuss how to face these threats collectively,” he remarked, signaling a readiness for transatlantic dialogue on bolstering collective defense efforts.

 

Based on a report by Politico 2024-11-09

 

 

 

Nato should learn to stand on it's own feet by now .

 

The big spender will break away , and , without americas contribution to the budget , they will need to spend much more of their own money for their protection against aggressors .

Poor Ukraine ...

It is inevitable that Trump will take the USA out of NATO.

 

There are perhaps three "takeaways" to this. 

 

1) The USA will be left with a large fleet, including a powerful aircraft carrier force, together with a large air force. However it will lose all it's forward basing naval facilities and airbases, particularly in the Western Atlantic and Mediterranean, which will severely constrain it.

 

2) Europe will have to stand on its "own two feet", but will no longer be duty bound to take any part in American "out of theatre" campaigns.

 

3) NATO will revert to, and solely focus on, defending Europe.

Edited November 9, 20241 yr by herfiehandbag

Euros are quaking.

 

https://brusselssignal.eu/2024/11/europe-finds-butter-delicious-and-guns-too-pricey-to-pay-for-defence/

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is yet another pencil-pushing nerd. 

A) Ukraine is NOT a member of NATO
B) Zelenzky is fiddling around with Brussels for the last few years without getting anything inked
C) NATO serves solely to DEFEND member states of NATO against outside aggression. 

It is nothing but an extremely well-oiled money printing machine, the bills are paid by NATO members and contributions by the EU (which in essence is very similar coverage) and hence feeds the never-ending hunger of the war industries of the United States and some European countries to the burden of the tax payer

The Swiss, in their absolute disorientation lately, ran a peace conference in Switzerland some 5 - 6 six months ago. Unlike all other such (most successful) conferences, which usually take place in Geneve, this particular conference was in Central Switzerland. Big wigs and some self-appointed VIPs from far-away lands in Africa etc. attended this Ukraine Peace Finding Summit and the Swiss president was sooooo happy to have a selfie all over the news. What she forgot is, to invite one of the two fighting parties - the Russians were never invited in the first place. Once the media picked that up, she said that Russia would not have attended anyhow. 

So, unless someone is putting a screeching stop to all this Ukraine nonsense and getting the parties to the negotiation table, it will just burn more billions of (mostly) European tax money. Mark Rutte and his cronies should step down, go home and start peeling potatoes or anything else which would make more sense. 

What a hopeless farçe all this is ......... 

The United Kingdom has pledged to reach 2.5 percent of GDP on defense within this decade, marking a substantial increase in its commitment

 

Meanwhile, big employers like Sainsbury’s and M&S will see their operational costs increase by millions due to hikes in NI contributions and minimum wage increases resulting in inevitable job cuts and rise in prices. Way to go. Shows how totally corrupt the western political system is.

 

 

Great move by Trump.

 

NATO is a joke and Trump isn't into warmongering so why prop them up with US taxpayers money? 

 

If the EU technocrats love it so much they can spend all that spare money floating around in the EU member States. Oh..  wait a minute.

USA should stop playing policeman of the world, as it only does it for interests of ELITE companies that pay ZERO tax or worse, get subsidies, like the oil industry...

3 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is yet another pencil-pushing nerd. 

A) Ukraine is NOT a member of NATO
B) Zelenzky is fiddling around with Brussels for the last few years without getting anything inked
C) NATO serves solely to DEFEND member states of NATO against outside aggression. 

It is nothing but an extremely well-oiled money printing machine, the bills are paid by NATO members and contributions by the EU (which in essence is very similar coverage) and hence feeds the never-ending hunger of the war industries of the United States and some European countries to the burden of the tax payer

The Swiss, in their absolute disorientation lately, ran a peace conference in Switzerland some 5 - 6 six months ago. Unlike all other such (most successful) conferences, which usually take place in Geneve, this particular conference was in Central Switzerland. Big wigs and some self-appointed VIPs from far-away lands in Africa etc. attended this Ukraine Peace Finding Summit and the Swiss president was sooooo happy to have a selfie all over the news. What she forgot is, to invite one of the two fighting parties - the Russians were never invited in the first place. Once the media picked that up, she said that Russia would not have attended anyhow. 

So, unless someone is putting a screeching stop to all this Ukraine nonsense and getting the parties to the negotiation table, it will just burn more billions of (mostly) European tax money. Mark Rutte and his cronies should step down, go home and start peeling potatoes or anything else which would make more sense. 

What a hopeless farçe all this is ......... 

quote "What a hopeless farçe all this is".

 

You are almost correct, apart from the easily forgotten fact that have been NO wars in Europe for the last 79 years.

 

OTOH, Russia only managed to keep its grip on the territory it held from 1945 until the 1980s. Under Putin however, Russia is desperately trying to annex those territories back, starting with the Ukraine.

 

Trump: No more US aid package to Ukraine.

It means Bettering the chances of Poo-tin's invasion success.

Americans  for Trump look  like  indirectly  voted for the 21st Century Hitler(Poo-tin).

Even though Trump's domestic policies often makes sense(border wall to reduce the penetration of the illegal aliens).

Edited November 9, 20241 yr by black tabby12345

5 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Euros are quaking.

 

https://brusselssignal.eu/2024/11/europe-finds-butter-delicious-and-guns-too-pricey-to-pay-for-defence/

Guns and butter eh?

 

Now who said that?

Increasing national defense expenses would be useful. However, coordinating and optimising these expenses at the aggregated level is much more important.

Edited November 9, 20241 yr by candide

On 11/9/2024 at 2:38 PM, herfiehandbag said:

Guns and butter eh?

 

Now who said that?

IIRC it was old Adolf who said something like guns before butter, but I can't find the quote on the internet.

 

Found it. It was actually "Uncle Herman".

 

“Guns before butter” was a slogan used by the Nazis to describe their policy of prioritizing military goods over civilian goods in preparation for war. The phrase was popularized by Hermann Göring, a Nazi leader, in a 1936 speech in Hamburg. Göring said, “guns will make us powerful; butter will only make us fat”.

Europe really is a colony of the US.

On 11/9/2024 at 8:57 AM, Sydebolle said:

A) Ukraine is NOT a member of NATO

In 2008 Germany and France vetoed the USA's bid for Ukraine to join NATO. They did this to take advantage of lucrative commercial deals with Russia. They have, not surprisingly, now changed their view and Germany has ramped up its defence spending

 

On 11/9/2024 at 12:58 PM, billd766 said:

OTOH, Russia only managed to keep its grip on the territory it held from 1945 until the 1980s. Under Putin however, Russia is desperately trying to annex those territories back, starting with the Ukraine.

Russia started with Crimea and the lack of any significant action from the West emboldened Putin to invade Ukraine.

16 hours ago, billd766 said:

IIRC it was old Adolf who said something like guns before butter, but I can't find the quote on the internet.

 

Found it. It was actually "Uncle Herman".

 

“Guns before butter” was a slogan used by the Nazis to describe their policy of prioritizing military goods over civilian goods in preparation for war. The phrase was popularized by Hermann Göring, a Nazi leader, in a 1936 speech in Hamburg. Göring said, “guns will make us powerful; butter will only make us fat”.

"Uncle Herman" certainly knew about things that made you fat!

On 11/9/2024 at 8:25 AM, herfiehandbag said:

It is inevitable that Trump will take the USA out of NATO.

 

There are perhaps three "takeaways" to this. 

 

1) The USA will be left with a large fleet, including a powerful aircraft carrier force, together with a large air force. However it will lose all it's forward basing naval facilities and airbases, particularly in the Western Atlantic and Mediterranean, which will severely constrain it.

 

2) Europe will have to stand on its "own two feet", but will no longer be duty bound to take any part in American "out of theatre" campaigns.

 

3) NATO will revert to, and solely focus on, defending Europe.

 

1) I think that you are assuming/speculating far too much.

 

2) If Europe stands on its "own two feet" effectively it will need to spend far more than the present NATO requirement. Far more.

 

3) As (2).