NATO considers the possibility of enrollment in new military assistance to Ukraine in the defense expenditures of the Member States. It is a part of the strategy for increasing defense costs up to 5% of GDP. This was reported on June 3 by Euractiv with reference to sources in the Alliance.
The plan stipulates that the purchase of weapons specifically for Ukraine, as well as investments in the Ukrainian defense industry will be included in the category of so -called "wider defense costs", which should be 1.5% of the 5% of GDP. The remaining 3.5% are designed for traditional defense needs: military equipment, military salaries and other basic costs.
Also within the wider costs are considered directions related to cybersecurity, infrastructure and increased stability of safety systems.
According to Euractiv , the weapons already transferred to Ukraine was taken into account in basic defense expenses at the time of its purchase. The future purchases that are made to replace the transmitted equipment will also be included in the target indicator of 3.5%.
The interlocutors of the publication emphasized that assistance to Ukraine has a direct positive impact on NATO's collective security because it restrains aggression and reduces the risks to the Alliance's eastern flank.
