NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Monday that a record 23 out of NATO’s 32 member nations are meeting the alliance’s defense spending target this year, a huge jump from just six nations in 2021. 

The surge in defense spending reflects the heightened concerns among NATO members about the potential for further Russian aggression in the region. Poland and Estonia, both of which share borders with Russia, are leading the way in terms of the percentage of their GDP allocated to defense, with Poland even surpassing the United States.

During a recent meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House, Stoltenberg talked about the importance of NATO for both US security and job creation, as allies are increasingly purchasing military equipment from the US. 

Biden praised the alliance for its growth and unity during Stoltenberg’s tenure, and said that together they have “deterred further Russian aggression in Europe.”

As NATO prepares for a pivotal summit in Washington next month, the alliance is focusing on ways to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. While Ukraine has not yet been granted membership in NATO, efforts are being made to streamline the eventual membership process and provide the country with updated arms and training.

Despite the overall increase in defense spending, some NATO members, including Canada, are still falling short of the 2% target. Canada’s defense spending has been a point of contention in recent years, with the country facing criticism from allies, including the US, for not meeting the agreed-upon threshold.

While the Trudeau government pledged billions more for the armed forces and projected military spending to reach 1.76% of GDP by 2030, up from the current 1.4%, it’s unclear when it will reach 2%. Canada’s Defense Minister Bill Blair in May said that the government’s timeline would be based on the requirements of the Canadian Armed Forces and in close consultation with allies.

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