US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth confirmed during a meeting in Brussels that Poland already spends 5 per cent of GDP on defence, which sets a model for Europe. He also said that the current NATO standard of 2% of GDP defence spending is ‘not enough’.

“Two per cent is not enough. President Trump has called for (increasing defence spending to) 5 per cent (of GDP) and I agree with him. Increasing the commitment to our security is an investment for the future,” the US SoD Pete Hegseth said.

Hegseth also underlined that now the priority for the US is to engage in the Pacific to deter China.

“As the US prioritises these threats, European allies must lead from the front. Together, we can establish a division of labour that maximises our advantages in Europe and the Pacific respectively,” Hegseth said.

“In my first weeks as defence secretary under President Trump, I have seen encouraging signs that Europe sees this threat, understands what needs to be done, and is embracing the task,” – he added.

The US SoD pointed to Sweden, which announced its new aid package to Ukraine worth some $1.2 billion on ammunition and other needed materials.

“Poland already spends 5 per cent of GDP on defence, which is a model for the continent,” the US SoD stressed.

Hegseth also said that European allies of the US must take care of their security and deterrence obligations, and also be more independent in any possible stabilisation mission in Ukraine. 

Source: PAP

Photo: @SecDef

Tomasz Modrzejewski