Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that Italy is currently focused on reaching the NATO target of 2% of GDP for defense spending.
According to the ANSA news agency, Crosetto emphasized in a conversation with journalists that Italy still needs to achieve this level, let alone consider a potential increase to 5%. He also added that the next NATO summit will take place at the end of June, where defense spending goals might be reassessed.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump previously stated that all NATO members, including European countries, should increase their defense budgets to 5% of GDP, as current spending levels are insufficient.
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, supported Trump’s view, noting that the European Union indeed does not pay enough attention to defense matters.
Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that the EU must strengthen its defense capabilities to address challenges in the face of growing global instability.
