Other countries are in favor of direct assurances. This is to be done through large-scale arms deliveries and long-term investment in Ukrainian defense capabilities. The Kyiv Security Compact, drafted by a group of experts including Ukraine and my predecessor Anders Fogh Rasmussen, proposes strengthening Ukraine's own defense and deterrence capabilities. There are several proposals that have been put on the table. Stoltenberg: We must ensure that Russia doesn’t continue to attack a sovereign, independent nation in Ukraine. Could you imagine NATO abandoning its unwritten law not to admit any country with unresolved conflicts into the alliance? But the most urgent task now is to help Kyiv in the military conflict.ĭER SPIEGEL: That could take a long time. That was stated clearly at the summit last year and reiterated in December. Stoltenberg: I cannot anticipate the decisions of the heads of state and government, but what I can say is that all the NATO countries agree that Ukraine should become a member of NATO. What do you expect from the NATO summit in Vilnius in mid-July in this respect? At the same time, when it comes to exact capabilities, we will never give a potential adversary the privilege of having access to all those numbers.ĭER SPIEGEL: When you were in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said that now was the time to give Ukraine a clear perspective for NATO accession. Stoltenberg: We try to be as transparent as possible. Why don't you make it transparent once a year which government is meeting its commitments, and which is not? If you take that into account, 2 percent is the minimum of what we need.ĭER SPIEGEL: Each NATO member state has committed to providing certain capabilities to the alliance. These include artillery, tanks, ammunition, logistics, aircraft, ships, submarines, communications, all that is necessary for the defense of our members. All allies have agreed to certain capabilities that they feel are absolutely necessary. Stoltenberg: The 2 percent isn’t a random number. Even if we don't change the number, it has taken on a different meaning: In the future, 2 percent will no longer be the target, but the absolute minimum, a floor, that everyone should achieve – not in a decade, but as soon as possible.ĭER SPIEGEL: The German government argues that it’s less a matter of having a specific number than of providing the necessary military capabilities. But my recommendation and what I expect is that allies will agree to a stronger commitment. Stoltenberg: Well, again, this is for NATO heads of state and government to decide. But at least Germany is now moving in the right direction.ĭER SPIEGEL: If the 2-percent agreement has indeed made a difference, why not set more ambitious targets, 2.5 or 3 percent, which could further accelerate the development? Germany has decided to purchase fifth-generation fighter aircraft and helicopters. And I welcome Germany's clear commitment to invest more in defense and spend 100 billion euros that has been put aside for defense investment. Stoltenberg: I expect all those allies who have not yet reached the 2 percent to do so soon as possible. Stoltenberg: Germany, like many other allies, has expressed its intention to achieve the 2 percent as quickly as possible.ĭER SPIEGEL: At the moment, it doesn't look as if the German government will be able to keep this promise in the longer term. Since then, it has been going up, although not as much as I would like.ĭER SPIEGEL: Germany still hasn’t reached 2 percent. Until then, defense spending was going down. Stoltenberg: The agreement we reached together in Wales in 2014 has made a significant difference. What is the point of setting new targets if the old ones aren’t even met? But this 2-percent target was set nine years ago, and yet only seven of the then 30 member states had achieved it as of last year. SPIEGEL Media Menü SPIEGEL Media aufklappenĭER SPIEGEL: You have advocated for the alliance to set 2 percent of gross domestic product as the minimum threshold for defense spending.Alle Magazine Menü Alle Magazine aufklappen.SPIEGEL-Heft Menü SPIEGEL-Heft aufklappen.Gutscheine Anzeige Menü Gutscheine aufklappen.Marktplatz Anzeige Menü Marktplatz aufklappen.Wissenschaft Menü Wissenschaft aufklappen.Formel 1 – Liveticker, Kalender, WM-Stand.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |