The Ukraine war that was started by Russia in the 24th of January 2022, caused deep and significant impacts in global system, especially in Europe. Although at the beginning of the war the consolidation of West block was obvious, the different views within the West and especially within the EU emerged afterwards.
In this context, the USA and NATO are willing to impose stricter policies towards Russia. However, the EU is affected by these policiies and sanctions.[1] This situation created different views on attitude to take towards Russia in West.
On the other hand, NATO demands member countries to spend 2% of their GDPs on security.[2] In this regard, Poland that is willing to take strict attitude against Russia, incraeses its security expenditure to 4%, while Germany is doubting about 2%.[3]
In this context, German chancellor Olaf Scholz declared his intention to formulate new law regarding security expenditures related to escalating security concerns in EU emerged from Russia-Ukraine war. But according to the recent news, Germany eliminated this law draft before the meeting of Assembly of Ministries in 16th August 2023. [4]
Germany will continue its policy to stabilize its security expenditure on approximately 2% level in next 5 years. Berlin promised to protect 2% despite it has not any legal obligation. [5] On the other hand, in recent years the USA and other NATO allies have strongly criticisized Germany for not reaching 2% target of the organization.[6] According to government’s data, Germany spent approximately 1,5% of its GDP to security last year.[7] However, it can be claimed that Russia-Ukraine war caused Germany to make signiicant changes in security and foreign afairs. In this context, Scholz stated that they will increase their security expenditure to more than 2%. [8]
Ministry of Defence of Germany approved to legalize the act, while Ministry of Foreign Affairs opposed the move, saying the current legal status was sufficient In addition to all these, German Government Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit, in a statement made on December 6, 2022, said that the country is determined to get as close to the 2% target as possible with the options it has and to achieve this target in this legislative period. [9] As a result, it can be argued that as the Russia-Ukraine War continues, the security concerns of the Western Bloc, and especially Europe, will not decline, but will continue to increase. This means that NATO members will especially try to bring their security and defense expenditures into line with the 2% criterion. It seems that countries that do not comply with this policy or have difficulty in complying with it may be subject to serious criticism. Moreover, the strengthening of NATO may slow down the EU’s security-based efforts. In this context, it can basically be said that the Western Bloc aims to wage a consolidated and harsh fight against Russia by overcoming differences of opinion and is trying to take steps in this direction. However, it is a question mark how long both the West and Russia can continue to allocate their resources to this war.
[1] “Russia’s War of Aggression Against Ukraine: EU Adopts 11th Package of Economic and Individual Sanctions”, European Council of the European Council, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/06/23/russia-s-war-of-aggression-against-ukraine-eu-adopts-11th-package-of-economic-and-individual-sanctions/, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
[2] “NATO: Why is Spending 2% of GDP on Defence so Controversial?”, Euro News, https://www.euronews.com/2023/04/07/nato-why-is-spending-2-of-gdp-on-defence-so-controversial, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
[3] “Poland to Spend 4% of GDP on Defence This Year, Highest Current Level in NATO”, Notes from Poland, https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/01/31/poland-to-spend-4-of-gdp-on-defence-this-year-highest-current-level-in-nato/, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
[4] “Germany Backtracks on Pledge to Meet NATO’s Defense Spending Target, News Reports Say”, Stars and Strıpes, https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2023-08-18/germany-defense-spending-11083981.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
[5] “Germany Must Meet NATO’s 2% Spending Target Over Long Term, Defence Minister Says”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-must-meet-natos-2-spending-target-over-long-term-defence-minister-2022-09-12/, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
[6] “Judy Asks: Is Germany Getting Serious About Security and Defense?”, Carneige Europe, https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/90020, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
[7] “Germany to Set Up €100bn Fund to Boost its Military Strength”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/27/germany-set-up-fund-boost-military-strength-ukraine-putin, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
[8] “Germany Backtracks on Pledge to Meet NATO’s Defense Spending Target, News Reports Say”, Stars and Strıpes, https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2023-08-18/germany-defense-spending-11083981.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
[9] “Germany Says Will Reach NATO Spending Target by 2025”, The Defense Post, https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/12/06/germany-reach-nato-spending-2025/?expand_article=1, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
