NATO promises to increase its presence in Eastern Europe
On Wednesday, July 11, at the NATO summit in Brussels, NATO leaders adopted a new final declaration. A significant part of it is devoted to the Alliance’s relations with Russia.
“We continue to respond to the deteriorated security environment by enhancing our deterrence and defense posture, including a forward presence in the eastern part of the Alliance. Moreover, the Alliance has suspended all practical civilian and military cooperation between NATO and Russia ‘while remaining open to political dialogue.’ NATO does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia,” the document says.
Alliance’s decision was motivated by “Russia’s aggressive actions, including the threat and use of force to attain political goals that challenge the Alliance and are undermining Euro-Atlantic security and the rules-based international order.”
During the Summit, Donald Trump proposed to increase defense expenditures to 4% of the GDP. He reiterated the demand that Germany increase its defense expenditures and stated that Berlin “is under the full control of Russia.” However, the initiative did not become a formal proposal. NATO countries agreed on the increase of military expenditures up to 2% GDP by 2024 but only five of the 29 NATO member countries can reach this goal this year.