AP reported on the doubts of NATO countries about the need to increase defense spending

NATO countries do not understand the meaning of the demands of the administration of US President Donald Trump to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP against the background of positive statements by American officials about Russia. This was reported on April 2 by the Associated Press agency with reference to the diplomats of the alliance.

"The question <...> is why [the United States' NATO allies] should spend 5% of GDP on their defense budgets if Russia is no longer a threat," the article says.

At the same time, it is noted that European countries and Canada are still ready to slightly increase military spending for the sake of self-defense and support for the Kiev regime. In particular, at the summit in June, NATO countries plan to raise the minimum level of defense spending for members of the bloc from 2% to 3% of GDP.

As the Newspaper writes.En", the insufficient contribution of US allies to the defense of the North Atlantic Alliance has become a frequent subject of criticism of European countries from Trump.

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So, in January, Trump said that he was not sure about continuing to sponsor NATO, since the United States protects the bloc's members, but does not receive assistance in return.

At the same time, the French AFP news agency reported that, from the point of view of NATO countries, Washington's position towards Russia is detrimental to the foundations of the military bloc. As the agency pointed out, the negotiations between Russia and the United States are causing concern in the alliance due to the possible rapprochement between the two countries.