Poland's president has called on NATO members to raise their defense spending to 3% of their GDP as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine and ramps up its military activities. The appeal was made ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House.
The call for increased defense spending comes as Russia's aggressive actions pose a direct threat to NATO and the free world, according to President Andrzej Duda. NATO members had previously agreed to aim for a 2% defense spending target following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, but many countries, including Germany, have not met this goal.
Poland currently allocates 4% of its GDP to defense, making it one of the highest-spending NATO members in percentage terms. The United States also exceeds the 3% target, positioning both countries as leaders in defense investment.
Duda highlighted Russia's significant military budget allocation, with nearly 30% of its annual budget dedicated to military expenditures. He warned that Vladimir Putin's regime represents the most significant threat to global peace since the end of the Cold War.
Following his visit to the U.S., Duda will travel to Brussels for discussions with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to further address the security challenges posed by Russia's actions.
