Marina Pina Madrid
Madrid
Updated Monday, February 12, 2024-19:10
United States Trump says he would "encourage Russia to do whatever it wants" with NATO if Europeans do not spend more on defense
War in Europe France, Germany and Poland prepare a response mechanism to Russian interference
War in Ukraine Stoltenberg warns of the possibility of a confrontation with Russia for decades
Donald Trump's statements pointing out countries that do not fulfill the promise of investing 2% of their GDP in Defense directly concern Spain. Because the national Executive is willing to reach that percentage, but on a path of gradually increasing the Defense budget, which would not reach 2% until 2030. Trump
knows
little about promises for the future, and he has already said that even could point out to Russia who those countries are so that Putin could attack them.
This Monday, Margarita Robles was very concerned about these statements by the candidate for the Presidency of the United States, which she described as a "wink" to the dictator. "They seem unacceptable to me, it is very serious from all points of view," she said during a discussion at the Club Siglo XXI. The minister recalled that since the war broke out in Ukraine two years ago, NATO "is giving an image of
unity to Putin
." That is why he has classified
Trump
's statement as "irresponsible" and has warned that
the Alliance "will not accept any act that may involve a violation of the
minimum rights included in International Law and in the Charter of Rights of the UN". Furthermore, she has guaranteed that support for Ukraine will be maintained at all levels.
Despite the forcefulness of Robles' words, all international analysts and intelligence experts view Donald Trump's progress in the polls with concern. They have long been convinced that his arrival at the White House would mean a breakdown in the unity of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. And
a NATO without the United States makes no sense
.
Although
Pedro Sánchez
during his time as a candidate did not see the need to invest in Defense, the essential role of the Armed Forces during the pandemic and the organization of the NATO summit in Madrid made him change his mind. Last year, after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Sánchez reinforced investment in Defense, increasing his budget by 26%.
At the moment, it represents 1.24% of GDP. Robles has reiterated on several occasions that Spain's will is to continue increasing the budget until it reaches 2%. A few weeks ago he took a step further in this commitment by announcing during his appearance at the
Defense Commission of the Congress of Deputies
that this year they will increase defense spending again, up to 1.3% of GDP. However, the figures are still far from the 2% promised within the Alliance.
Spain, with the rest of the countries of the
European Union
, works to achieve greater strategic autonomy in matters of Defense. Not only does it want to increase investment to comply with NATO, but, in anticipation of Trump being re-elected and the unity of the allies breaking down, which would leave the EU alone in its fight against Russian interference, Spain continues with investment plans in strategic Defense within their possibilities.
The Spanish Executive is in an alliance with Germany and France to manufacture the FCAS, the sixth generation fighter that would be available in 2040 and would replace the Eurofighter. In addition, Spain is at the forefront in manufacturing submarines with the most cutting-edge technology, these are the S-80, which they hope to be able to export. There is also a plan for F-110 Frigates, as well as Dragon 8x8 armored vehicles. Everything to try to be more autonomous.