Latest news with #Allies
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Spain may derail NATO summit by resisting defence spend
Spain has asked to opt out of NATO's plan to increase members' defence spending to five per cent of their gross domestic product, a move that could derail a summit at which the military alliance plans to ask them to commit to the target. In a letter sent to NATO chief Mark Rutte on Thursday and seen by Reuters, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez requested a "more flexible formula" that either makes the spending target optional or excludes Spain from its application. He said it was not Spain's intention to obstruct the outcome of next week's NATO summit. But any agreement to raise defence spending - a response to a request by US President Donald Trump - would require unanimous approval by the 32 member states. "Committing to a five per cent target would not only be unreasonable, but also counterproductive, as it would move Spain further away from optimal spending and would hinder the EU's ongoing efforts to strengthen its security and defence ecosystem," Sanchez wrote in the letter. "It is the legitimate right of every government to decide whether or not they are willing to make those sacrifices. As a sovereign Ally, we choose not to," he added. At an estimated 1.28 per cent of GDP, Spain had the lowest proportion of expenditure on defence in the alliance last year, according to NATO estimates. Sanchez agreed in April to accelerate efforts to meet NATO's current target of two per cent. Rutte has proposed that member states agree to boost defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP and commit a further 1.5 per cent to broader security-related spending. Leaders across NATO say its current spending goal is no longer sufficient, with Russia posing a greater threat since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Asked for comment on Spain's request, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization official said: "Discussions among Allies on a new defence investment plan are ongoing." The US, which has been Kyiv's primary military backer since Russia's invasion, spent an estimated 3.38 per cent of GDP on defence in 2024, the third-most among NATO nations, according to the alliance. Trump has said NATO members are not spending their fair share on defence and has threatened not to come to the aid of those falling short. Sanchez, however, said that rushing to a five per cent target would harm European Union efforts to become self-reliant in defence production, pushing governments to procure equipment outside the bloc and that it was "incompatible with our welfare state and our world vision". Some other NATO members have also questioned the timeline, saying it is too rapid, but are generally willing to sign up, diplomatic sources say. Italy, for example, wants the deadline moved to 2035 from 2032 and the removal of a requirement to increase spending by 0.2 per cent per year, a source with knowledge of the matter said. Spain has asked to opt out of NATO's plan to increase members' defence spending to five per cent of their gross domestic product, a move that could derail a summit at which the military alliance plans to ask them to commit to the target. In a letter sent to NATO chief Mark Rutte on Thursday and seen by Reuters, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez requested a "more flexible formula" that either makes the spending target optional or excludes Spain from its application. He said it was not Spain's intention to obstruct the outcome of next week's NATO summit. But any agreement to raise defence spending - a response to a request by US President Donald Trump - would require unanimous approval by the 32 member states. "Committing to a five per cent target would not only be unreasonable, but also counterproductive, as it would move Spain further away from optimal spending and would hinder the EU's ongoing efforts to strengthen its security and defence ecosystem," Sanchez wrote in the letter. "It is the legitimate right of every government to decide whether or not they are willing to make those sacrifices. As a sovereign Ally, we choose not to," he added. At an estimated 1.28 per cent of GDP, Spain had the lowest proportion of expenditure on defence in the alliance last year, according to NATO estimates. Sanchez agreed in April to accelerate efforts to meet NATO's current target of two per cent. Rutte has proposed that member states agree to boost defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP and commit a further 1.5 per cent to broader security-related spending. Leaders across NATO say its current spending goal is no longer sufficient, with Russia posing a greater threat since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Asked for comment on Spain's request, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization official said: "Discussions among Allies on a new defence investment plan are ongoing." The US, which has been Kyiv's primary military backer since Russia's invasion, spent an estimated 3.38 per cent of GDP on defence in 2024, the third-most among NATO nations, according to the alliance. Trump has said NATO members are not spending their fair share on defence and has threatened not to come to the aid of those falling short. Sanchez, however, said that rushing to a five per cent target would harm European Union efforts to become self-reliant in defence production, pushing governments to procure equipment outside the bloc and that it was "incompatible with our welfare state and our world vision". Some other NATO members have also questioned the timeline, saying it is too rapid, but are generally willing to sign up, diplomatic sources say. Italy, for example, wants the deadline moved to 2035 from 2032 and the removal of a requirement to increase spending by 0.2 per cent per year, a source with knowledge of the matter said. Spain has asked to opt out of NATO's plan to increase members' defence spending to five per cent of their gross domestic product, a move that could derail a summit at which the military alliance plans to ask them to commit to the target. In a letter sent to NATO chief Mark Rutte on Thursday and seen by Reuters, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez requested a "more flexible formula" that either makes the spending target optional or excludes Spain from its application. He said it was not Spain's intention to obstruct the outcome of next week's NATO summit. But any agreement to raise defence spending - a response to a request by US President Donald Trump - would require unanimous approval by the 32 member states. "Committing to a five per cent target would not only be unreasonable, but also counterproductive, as it would move Spain further away from optimal spending and would hinder the EU's ongoing efforts to strengthen its security and defence ecosystem," Sanchez wrote in the letter. "It is the legitimate right of every government to decide whether or not they are willing to make those sacrifices. As a sovereign Ally, we choose not to," he added. At an estimated 1.28 per cent of GDP, Spain had the lowest proportion of expenditure on defence in the alliance last year, according to NATO estimates. Sanchez agreed in April to accelerate efforts to meet NATO's current target of two per cent. Rutte has proposed that member states agree to boost defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP and commit a further 1.5 per cent to broader security-related spending. Leaders across NATO say its current spending goal is no longer sufficient, with Russia posing a greater threat since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Asked for comment on Spain's request, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization official said: "Discussions among Allies on a new defence investment plan are ongoing." The US, which has been Kyiv's primary military backer since Russia's invasion, spent an estimated 3.38 per cent of GDP on defence in 2024, the third-most among NATO nations, according to the alliance. Trump has said NATO members are not spending their fair share on defence and has threatened not to come to the aid of those falling short. Sanchez, however, said that rushing to a five per cent target would harm European Union efforts to become self-reliant in defence production, pushing governments to procure equipment outside the bloc and that it was "incompatible with our welfare state and our world vision". Some other NATO members have also questioned the timeline, saying it is too rapid, but are generally willing to sign up, diplomatic sources say. Italy, for example, wants the deadline moved to 2035 from 2032 and the removal of a requirement to increase spending by 0.2 per cent per year, a source with knowledge of the matter said. Spain has asked to opt out of NATO's plan to increase members' defence spending to five per cent of their gross domestic product, a move that could derail a summit at which the military alliance plans to ask them to commit to the target. In a letter sent to NATO chief Mark Rutte on Thursday and seen by Reuters, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez requested a "more flexible formula" that either makes the spending target optional or excludes Spain from its application. He said it was not Spain's intention to obstruct the outcome of next week's NATO summit. But any agreement to raise defence spending - a response to a request by US President Donald Trump - would require unanimous approval by the 32 member states. "Committing to a five per cent target would not only be unreasonable, but also counterproductive, as it would move Spain further away from optimal spending and would hinder the EU's ongoing efforts to strengthen its security and defence ecosystem," Sanchez wrote in the letter. "It is the legitimate right of every government to decide whether or not they are willing to make those sacrifices. As a sovereign Ally, we choose not to," he added. At an estimated 1.28 per cent of GDP, Spain had the lowest proportion of expenditure on defence in the alliance last year, according to NATO estimates. Sanchez agreed in April to accelerate efforts to meet NATO's current target of two per cent. Rutte has proposed that member states agree to boost defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP and commit a further 1.5 per cent to broader security-related spending. Leaders across NATO say its current spending goal is no longer sufficient, with Russia posing a greater threat since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Asked for comment on Spain's request, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization official said: "Discussions among Allies on a new defence investment plan are ongoing." The US, which has been Kyiv's primary military backer since Russia's invasion, spent an estimated 3.38 per cent of GDP on defence in 2024, the third-most among NATO nations, according to the alliance. Trump has said NATO members are not spending their fair share on defence and has threatened not to come to the aid of those falling short. Sanchez, however, said that rushing to a five per cent target would harm European Union efforts to become self-reliant in defence production, pushing governments to procure equipment outside the bloc and that it was "incompatible with our welfare state and our world vision". Some other NATO members have also questioned the timeline, saying it is too rapid, but are generally willing to sign up, diplomatic sources say. Italy, for example, wants the deadline moved to 2035 from 2032 and the removal of a requirement to increase spending by 0.2 per cent per year, a source with knowledge of the matter said.
Perth Now
17 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Spain may derail NATO summit by resisting defence spend
Spain has asked to opt out of NATO's plan to increase members' defence spending to five per cent of their gross domestic product, a move that could derail a summit at which the military alliance plans to ask them to commit to the target. In a letter sent to NATO chief Mark Rutte on Thursday and seen by Reuters, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez requested a "more flexible formula" that either makes the spending target optional or excludes Spain from its application. He said it was not Spain's intention to obstruct the outcome of next week's NATO summit. But any agreement to raise defence spending - a response to a request by US President Donald Trump - would require unanimous approval by the 32 member states. "Committing to a five per cent target would not only be unreasonable, but also counterproductive, as it would move Spain further away from optimal spending and would hinder the EU's ongoing efforts to strengthen its security and defence ecosystem," Sanchez wrote in the letter. "It is the legitimate right of every government to decide whether or not they are willing to make those sacrifices. As a sovereign Ally, we choose not to," he added. At an estimated 1.28 per cent of GDP, Spain had the lowest proportion of expenditure on defence in the alliance last year, according to NATO estimates. Sanchez agreed in April to accelerate efforts to meet NATO's current target of two per cent. Rutte has proposed that member states agree to boost defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP and commit a further 1.5 per cent to broader security-related spending. Leaders across NATO say its current spending goal is no longer sufficient, with Russia posing a greater threat since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Asked for comment on Spain's request, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization official said: "Discussions among Allies on a new defence investment plan are ongoing." The US, which has been Kyiv's primary military backer since Russia's invasion, spent an estimated 3.38 per cent of GDP on defence in 2024, the third-most among NATO nations, according to the alliance. Trump has said NATO members are not spending their fair share on defence and has threatened not to come to the aid of those falling short. Sanchez, however, said that rushing to a five per cent target would harm European Union efforts to become self-reliant in defence production, pushing governments to procure equipment outside the bloc and that it was "incompatible with our welfare state and our world vision". Some other NATO members have also questioned the timeline, saying it is too rapid, but are generally willing to sign up, diplomatic sources say. Italy, for example, wants the deadline moved to 2035 from 2032 and the removal of a requirement to increase spending by 0.2 per cent per year, a source with knowledge of the matter said.
Leader Live
a day ago
- General
- Leader Live
Royal British Legion calls on VJ Day veterans to join 80th anniversary
Veterans and their families are invited as guests of honour to the event, which will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on August 15. VJ Day marks the anniversary of Japan's surrender to the Allies following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, effectively ending the Second World War. The service will pay tribute to all those who served in the Asia-Pacific theatre, including Burma Star recipients, British Indian Army veterans, former prisoners of war, and those who fought in pivotal battles including Kohima and Imphal in India. Veteran Owen Filer, 105, who served in India on VJ Day in 1945 and will attend the event, said: 'This is a significant moment for my generation and for all those who served out there and back home before Japan surrendered. 'It will be an honour to be with the Royal British Legion and fellow veterans 80 years after the world went through so much, and to remember those who never made it back.' He added: 'I would encourage all my comrades to visit the RBL's website and register for what will be a very poignant day.' This event comes just weeks after the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which marked victory in Europe. New research, commissioned by the RBL, estimates that only around 8,000 Second World War veterans remain in England and Wales, based on data from the 2021 Census and ONS projections. The charity warns that this number is expected to fall below 300 by the 90th anniversary. Mark Atkinson, director-general of the RBL, said: 'The 80th anniversary of VJ Day is likely to be one of the last opportunities as a nation to thank those veterans still with us today for their service and sacrifice. 'We owe it to all those with a connection to VJ Day to pause and reflect on their contribution and legacy.' The RBL said the research, carried out by Rand Europe, is part of its work to better understand and support the changing needs of the Armed Forces community. Angela Kitching, RBL's director of campaigns, policy and research, said: 'These new findings are the result of a decades-long effort by the RBL to improve data on veterans living in this country.' Veterans or their families can register to attend by visiting
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Royal British Legion calls on VJ Day veterans to join 80th anniversary
Veterans and their families are invited as guests of honour to the event, which will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on August 15. VJ Day marks the anniversary of Japan's surrender to the Allies following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, effectively ending the Second World War. The service will pay tribute to all those who served in the Asia-Pacific theatre, including Burma Star recipients, British Indian Army veterans, former prisoners of war, and those who fought in pivotal battles including Kohima and Imphal in India. Veteran Owen Filer, 105, who served in India on VJ Day in 1945 and will attend the event, said: 'This is a significant moment for my generation and for all those who served out there and back home before Japan surrendered. 'It will be an honour to be with the Royal British Legion and fellow veterans 80 years after the world went through so much, and to remember those who never made it back.' He added: 'I would encourage all my comrades to visit the RBL's website and register for what will be a very poignant day.' This event comes just weeks after the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which marked victory in Europe. Veteran Owen Filer, 105, served in India on VJ Day in 1945 (The Royal British Legion/PA) New research, commissioned by the RBL, estimates that only around 8,000 Second World War veterans remain in England and Wales, based on data from the 2021 Census and ONS projections. The charity warns that this number is expected to fall below 300 by the 90th anniversary. Mark Atkinson, director-general of the RBL, said: 'The 80th anniversary of VJ Day is likely to be one of the last opportunities as a nation to thank those veterans still with us today for their service and sacrifice. 'We owe it to all those with a connection to VJ Day to pause and reflect on their contribution and legacy.' The RBL said the research, carried out by Rand Europe, is part of its work to better understand and support the changing needs of the Armed Forces community. Angela Kitching, RBL's director of campaigns, policy and research, said: 'These new findings are the result of a decades-long effort by the RBL to improve data on veterans living in this country.' Veterans or their families can register to attend by visiting
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Royal British Legion calls on VJ Day veterans to join 80th anniversary
Veterans and their families are invited as guests of honour to the event, which will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on August 15. VJ Day marks the anniversary of Japan's surrender to the Allies following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, effectively ending the Second World War. The service will pay tribute to all those who served in the Asia-Pacific theatre, including Burma Star recipients, British Indian Army veterans, former prisoners of war, and those who fought in pivotal battles including Kohima and Imphal in India. Veteran Owen Filer, 105, who served in India on VJ Day in 1945 and will attend the event, said: 'This is a significant moment for my generation and for all those who served out there and back home before Japan surrendered. 'It will be an honour to be with the Royal British Legion and fellow veterans 80 years after the world went through so much, and to remember those who never made it back.' He added: 'I would encourage all my comrades to visit the RBL's website and register for what will be a very poignant day.' This event comes just weeks after the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which marked victory in Europe. New research, commissioned by the RBL, estimates that only around 8,000 Second World War veterans remain in England and Wales, based on data from the 2021 Census and ONS projections. The charity warns that this number is expected to fall below 300 by the 90th anniversary. Mark Atkinson, director-general of the RBL, said: 'The 80th anniversary of VJ Day is likely to be one of the last opportunities as a nation to thank those veterans still with us today for their service and sacrifice. 'We owe it to all those with a connection to VJ Day to pause and reflect on their contribution and legacy.' The RBL said the research, carried out by Rand Europe, is part of its work to better understand and support the changing needs of the Armed Forces community. Angela Kitching, RBL's director of campaigns, policy and research, said: 'These new findings are the result of a decades-long effort by the RBL to improve data on veterans living in this country.' Veterans or their families can register to attend by visiting
