Part 4/10:
With Russia's military buildup, NATO leadership has called for a significant boost in collective defense efforts. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged members to increase their defense budgets to up to 3.5% of GDP, aligning with previous American standards and echoing President Trump's push for higher contributions. Stoltenberg emphasized the necessity for NATO to become more lethal, especially in aerial and missile defenses, given Russia’s reliance on aerial assaults in Ukraine.
He warned that “wishful thinking” will no longer suffice, and that hope is not a strategy. The alliance must adapt rapidly, becoming stronger and more coordinated to deter Russian aggression effectively.