German Defense Ministry Says Military Spending of 2% of GDP Is Not Enough
German Defense Minister Pistorius said that military spending is not enough at 2% of Germany's GDP.
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According to RIA Novosti, visiting the Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems shipyard in Wismar on January 17, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described that Germany's military spending is not enough at 2% of the country's GDP - the common level of NATO member countries.
At the same time, Mr. Pistorius emphasized that the percentage is not as important as meeting specific targets to enhance deterrence.
“This has to be the guiding principle for all of us. And if defence spending is 3%, it has to be at that level or higher. The important thing is the target,” said Minister Pistorius.
In December 2024, US President-elect Donald Trump’s team informed European officials that the new US administration would require each NATO member to commit to spending 5% of its GDP on defense. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that defense spending would be significantly higher than the current target of 2%.
In contrast, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pointed out that the 5% GDP target would mean Germany would spend around 200 billion euros on defense annually. At the same time, the federal budget currently amounts to around 490 billion.
In addition, as the second largest military aid donor to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he wants the conflict in Ukraine to end by 2025 at the earliest.
“I wish it could be done this year, we will see if it is possible,” Chancellor Scholz said at a Social Democratic Party election event in Wolfsburg on January 17, commenting on the possibility of ending the Ukraine conflict.
