“I can confirm that the initial draft of the defense budget for 2023 already focuses on the allocation of 2% of GDP,” RIA Novosti quotes him.
The minister noted that in the near future he would turn to colleagues and deputies of parliament with a request to increase the military budget against the backdrop of the situation in Ukraine.
“Like other countries on the eastern flank of NATO, we must take adequate action in connection with the events in Ukraine ... All other NATO countries located on the eastern border of the alliance have already achieved the allocation of this 2% of GDP for their military needs,” he added he.
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said earlier that the defense budget would be increased as quickly as possible in connection with the situation in Ukraine.