Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said
Wednesday that NATO would set the level of military spending
expected from members and it would not be the 5% of GDP US
President-elect Donald Trump called for Tuesday, while adding
that the percentage should be more than the current 2%.
Whether the bar is set at two and a half, three or four or five,
I'm exaggerating by quoting Trump, the next NATO leaders'
meeting will decide" but "I don't think it will be five, which
at this time would be impossible for almost all nations in the
world", Crosetto told reporters in the parliament lobby.
"As I have been saying for some time, it will no longer be the
two percent that we are already struggling to reach, but it will
be more than two.
"This is nothing new, I've been saying it for a year and a half
so I'm sorry to be right.
"The same thing is being asked by Poland, the Baltic States,
Germany itself, all countries are asking for an increase in
military spending in NATO, it's no secret to anyone".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
