Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal believes that all the countries of Northern Europe, including the countries around the Baltic Sea, should spend more than 2.5 percent of their GDP on defense. He also noted that “in addition to developing our defense capabilities, we must assure Ukraine that we will defend it until victory.”
According to Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, “the final 2 percent of defense spending in NATO is no longer enough to ensure security in Europe.”
The UK-led JEF (Joint Expeditionary Force) “plays a key role in the deterrence and defense of the Baltic region” and is also “a first response unit”, even before the possible implementation of Article 5 of NATO, the Estonian government. statement is highlighted.
These countries, – the prime minister added, – know what the price of peace is and can achieve this goal,” that is, they spend more than 2.5 percent of GDP on defense.
Military Andrzej Dzekowski / PAP
The JEF Group, founded in 2015, consists of 10 countries (Scandinavian countries, Baltic countries, Great Britain and the Netherlands). Currently, only Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia spend 2.8 to 3.4 percent of GDP on defense.
Among the Scandinavian countries, Finland and Denmark spend the most – about 2.3 percent, and Sweden and Norway – about 2.1-2.2 percent. In turn, the United Kingdom spends 2.3 percent and the Netherlands a little more than 2 percent of GDP. Iceland, although part of this group and belonging to NATO, does not have its own armed forces.
The Prime Minister of Estonia insists on supporting Ukraine
Michal also emphasized that “in addition to developing our defense capabilities, we must assure Ukraine that we will defend it until victory.” Currently, he stressed, JEF members are allocating “twice as much as the rest of Europe” to aid Kyiv.
At the beginning of this year, the Estonian authorities also decided to regularly allocate 0.25 percent of their GDP for the military needs of Ukraine. Then it was emphasized that the success of this initiative depends on the position of other Western countries.
– I suggest that the JEF countries also undertake to provide long-term support to Ukraine at this level, – said the Prime Minister of Estonia. Formally, this initiative should be presented at the next meeting of JEF, which will be held in mid-December in Tallinn.
Main photo source: eur.army.mil
