British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “gift” to NATO as the war in Ukraine has made many alliance members make plans to increase military spending.
Wallace made the comments at the Warsaw Security Forum, a two-day conference that started on Tuesday. According to The Associated Press, Wallace said that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, European leaders became complacent and that Putin has become “in a sense, a gift to NATO.”
Wallace said Putin serves as a “pantomime villain” who reminded Europe that there is “really is somebody out there who really, really wants to not only challenge us but wants to inflict violence.”
For years, NATO has been pushing its European members to increase their military spending to at least 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP), a goal many alliance members did not meet. But since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, NATO countries are announcing plans to invest more in their militaries.
Wallace said there is a consensus among European leaders that they have not spent enough on their armed forces. “On the surface our militaries can boast numbers,” he said. “But below that bonnet, we have not enough infrastructure, not enough spare parts, not enough personnel, not enough modern weaponry, not enough weapon stocks. That’s all coming home to roost, and we’re going to have to deal with that. And that is going to cost money.”
Britain has announced a plan to increase its military spending to 3% of its GDP over the next few years. Germany’s government recently announced a plan to spend $107 billion over the next five years to bring the country’s military spending to over 2% of its GDP.
US and other Western arms makers are set to cash in as European countries are increasing their military spending. Many former Soviet states are looking to phase out their Russian-made equipment for NATO armaments, and the Biden administration is handing out new military aid that can be used to purchase US weapons.
British Defense Secretary Says NATO really needs that WW3
That just may be true, what else have they got to do? Making Peace is not in their job description…
WWI 1914-1918. WWII 1939-1945. WWIII tbd.
I intend on being very busy that day… I shall vaporize with a vodka gimlet in my hand… ;-}
Donna, we can only hope that we vaporize rather than a long excruciating death from radiation poisoning 🙁
I’m goin’ out with a joint in each hand.
Donna, we can only hope that we vaporize rather than a long excruciating death from radiation poisoning 🙁
I’m goin’ out with a joint in each hand.
Warthog, you are always so RIGHT ON!
At least he is telling the truth.
The other Gift Putin has given NATO is showing his incompetent’s army of looter’s ass to the world. We were for decades afraid of this paper Tiger. Now “Russia is just a gas station with nukes” (John McCain). In the long run, Zelensky has saved the West hundreds of billions in defense spending.
NATO defense spending should focus on strengthening its counter nuke capabilities.
“In the long run, Zelensky has saved the West hundreds of billions in defense spending.”
You keep outdoing yourself. Moron wise.
What precisely can NATU do to “strengthening its counter nuke capabilities???????” Maybe you could name one thing they could do???
I think “NATU” is in Australia, where the aboriginals hunt and slay things…
Russia has enough nukes to make NATO countries flat, black and glow in the dark.
Can we pick which color we want to glow in or is it standard issue?
😂
The MIC is a bit of a whoring organization….
Not just here in the states.
A gift until we go banrupt by having the Russians destroy our military equipment faster than we can replace it.
Can”t wait until North Macedonia throws its heft into this confrontation with Russia…!!!!!!!
NATO is a gift to arms manufacturers
& American LNG producers
Can’t wait for British elections when the warmongers are hopefully swept from power.
When the people of the UK have had enough, they will sack the warmongers. I doubt that Liz will last beyond December, and I imagine that Wallace will go down when she does.
Yes but they’re still in the same boat as US. With the destruction of Corbyn, Labor is substantively indistinguishable.
These people are fucking sick. Oh Boy, more military spending. Another “opportunity” like numbnuts Blinken said about the sabotage.
Thank you, very much, for speaking in a language I can understand, clean, clear and concise.
“British Defense Secretary Says Putin Is a ‘Gift’ to NATO”
So how do you want your gift served this winter? Cold and expensive?
The UK and EU may just see major revolutions when the average citizens tire of cold showers, cold homes, and expensive cold food!