Over 20 NATO allies to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense in 2024 - Stoltenberg

He said this during a speech at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., European Pravda reports.

Speaking about NATO's defense capabilities, Stoltenberg emphasized that European countries are currently “increasing defense spending to record levels.” 

"I can announce that this year more than 20 member states will spend at least 2% of GDP on defense. This is good for Europe and good for America,” said the NATO Secretary General. 

However, he did not specify which countries would spend 2% of GDP on defense. Stoltenberg reminded that 10 years ago, in 2014, only three NATO countries - Greece, the United States, and the United Kingdom - met the target of 2% of GDP in defense contributions. 

The NATO Secretary General also noted that he would discuss NATO's defense spending with the U.S. President Joe Biden, whom he was meeting today.

• The U.S. National Intelligence Agency has stated that the Russian defense budget currently accounts for approximately 25% of all federal spending.