Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow does not consider NATO armaments to be a threat to the Russian Federation. According to him, Russia is self -sufficient in terms of ensuring its own security, TASR writes according to DPA and Reuters reports.
“We are constantly improving our armed forces and defense abilities. Anything does, of course, creates some threats, but we will stop all these threats that will appear,” said Kreml’s head representatives of the international news agencies on the occasion of the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg (Spief).
NATO budget raising
According to Putin, there is no point in any resolution and increasing the budget to five percent of NATO GDP.
The Russian President stated that increasing the NATO budget will not benefit anyone and create other risks. “I think it is completely irrational and nonsensical. And, of course, there are no threats from Russia. These are simply nonsense,” said Putin, who, according to DPA, refuted the statements of the West’s representatives that Russia would attack the country of the alliance. “It is a myth that Russia is preparing to attack Europe or NATO states,” Putin concluded.
NATO plans to increase spending
Next week, the NATO summit will be held in the Hague, where leaders are likely to approve a significant increase in military budgets. NATO Secretary -General Mark Rutte wants to convince the heads of state and governments at this summit to commit to at least 3.5 percent of GDP in the future and another 1.5 percent of GDP put on spending in related areas. This would more than double the current expenditure goal of two percent of GDP. However, Rutte has not yet reported any time plan for such an increase in goals.
EU warning
Kaja Kallas, a High EU representative for foreign affairs and security policy on Wednesday, warned that strengthening the Russian army poses a threat to Europe and transatlantic security. According to her, Russia has spent more than the EU last year and this year spends more funds to defend than for its own health, education and social policy together. She said it was a long -lasting aggression plan. “You do not lose so much for military power if you do not plan to use it,” she added.
