NATO Agrees to Increase Defense Spending to 5% of GDP Within 10 Years
Following President Trump's Demands
Russia: "We Are Taking Measures to Eliminate Western Attempts"
On June 25 (local time), the day NATO member states agreed to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP within the next 10 years, Russia issued a warning, accusing the West of pursuing hostile policies.
According to TASS, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko addressed the West's military plans and hostile policies at the annual security conference of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on the same day. He stated, "We are closely monitoring everything and are taking all necessary measures to firmly defend our legitimate security interests and to eliminate these attempts by the West."
He also argued that the West's policies cannot bring peace to Ukraine, claiming that Ukraine has been used as cannon fodder to deter Russia.
Deputy Minister Grushko emphasized, "Another terrible threat approaching Europe is healthier relations between Russia and the United States." He added that while European countries are anxious, normal relations between the two nuclear powers are important for peace and stability on the European continent.
On the same day in The Hague, Netherlands, NATO member state leaders adopted a joint statement to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. The statement included language describing Russia as a "long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security."
NATO's decision to increase spending was prompted by pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized Europe for free-riding on security. President Trump had maintained an ambiguous stance regarding Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which stipulates collective defense, but after the agreement was reached, he expressed his support.
Meanwhile, Russia is also preparing educational reforms to emphasize its identity in confrontation with the West. The Russian daily Kommersant recently reported that Ukrainian language education will be abolished in Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia. On June 22, President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the authors of history textbooks to discuss ways to include detailed accounts of the Soviet Union's role and victory in World War II, as well as the recapture of the border town of Kursk, which had recently been occupied by Ukrainian forces, in the new history textbooks.
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