Czech PM Andrej Babis reiterates importance of NATO for his country but rejects calls to increase defense spending
6 日前
Babis announced on Monday that the Czech state will run a deficit of 386 billion crowns (€15.8 billion or $18 billion) next year Image: Michaela Rihova/CTK/picture alliance
The Czech Republic "must remain committed to increasing defense spending," Matthew Whitaker, the US envoy to NATO , demanded in Prague last week. "We expect our allies to step up," he said.
The call is nothing new. As warnings about the threat emanating from Russia increase, and Washington demands European allies take greater responsibility for security, NATO has raised its target for defense spending from 2% to 3.5% of GDP, and pressure on those lagging is rising.
Czechia, alongside Slovenia and Albania , has yet to meet the old target. But Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis , whose government cut the defense budget for 2026 to around 1.7% of GDP when it took office late last year, pushed back against the latest barb from Washington.
While reiterating that NATO membership is crucial for Czechia, the premier bluntly stated that the government cannot afford to accelerate spending. He has pledged to hit the 2% target in 2027 but plans no further increases.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew G. Whitaker (pictured here in Iowa earlier this month) has made the US position clear to Prague: Czechia 'must remain committed to increasing defense spending' Image: Tim Evans/REUTERS
本文の著作権はDeutsche Welleにあります。