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🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

NATO to Announce Multi-Billion Dollar Arms Deals to Appease Trump

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced plans to unveil multi-billion dollar arms deals at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.
  • The move aims to appease U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pressured European allies to increase defense spending.
  • European allies and Canada have significantly boosted defense expenditures, with projected additional investments of $258 billion by 2026.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that the alliance will reveal new, multi-billion dollar arms deals essential for deterrence and defense. This announcement comes as NATO prepares for its summit in Ankara, Turkey, and aims to address U.S. President Donald Trump's persistent pressure on European allies to increase their defense spending.

We are going to announce new contracts worth tens of billions of dollars for the procurement of key equipment necessary for deterrence and defense.

— Jens StoltenbergNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announcing new arms deals at a press conference in Ankara.

Stoltenberg highlighted the commitment of NATO member states to strengthening their defense capabilities. He noted that European allies and Canada have increased their defense budgets by nearly 20% compared to the previous year. "By 2025 and 2026, additional investments will reach $258 billion," he stated, emphasizing that these investments are crucial for their security in the face of existing threats, including those posed by Russia.

We are investing in our own security. Because the threats we face are real. This includes the threat from Russia.

— Jens StoltenbergStoltenberg explaining the rationale behind increased defense spending.

The push for increased defense spending is partly a response to pressure from the Trump administration. U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whittaker, indicated that the Ankara summit would review progress on defense commitments made in The Hague, where NATO members agreed to spend 5% of their GDP on defense by 2035. Whittaker pointed out that many countries are lagging behind this target, and President Trump expects all allies to meet the 5% goal as soon as possible.

We will review progress on the Hague defense commitments.

— Matthew WhittakerU.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whittaker on the agenda for the Ankara summit.

Trump's dissatisfaction also extends to Europe's perceived lack of support in the conflict with Iran. After European allies refused to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz in March, citing it as not their war, the Trump administration announced plans to reduce U.S. forces in Europe by 5,000 personnel in May, signaling ongoing tensions. The upcoming summit will be attended by heads of state from all 32 NATO member countries, including President Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to attend parts of the meeting to discuss the war in Ukraine and seek further military aid from NATO.

President Trump expects all allies to step up immediately and achieve the 5% goal as soon as possible.

— Matthew WhittakerWhittaker commenting on President Trump's expectations for NATO members' defense spending.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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