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  • If I understand your answer right, the increase to 5% is temporary, to reach parity with Russia, and may be reduced once that is done - can you cite some EU-NATO politician for this claim? Commented Jun 27, 2025 at 11:29
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    This is not temporary, and Russia is not a standard for parity. The armed forces of Ukraine is an example of future state, sans the components that aren't working such as tanks. Most member states are nowhere near able to prosecute a war that is currently being fought in Ukraine. NATO member states are required to develop these capabilities and use the excess for the NATO contribution where it is needed, the border of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. Commented Jun 27, 2025 at 11:45
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    That is a more reasonable argument - can you actually cite some EU-NATO politicians saying so publicly? I am not interested in why someone here may believe that 5% is justified. I want to know how EU-NATO politicians are justifying that to the opposition and their voters, because increase in military spending (say vs increase in healthcare) has an undercurrent of opposition in much of Europe. Commented Jun 27, 2025 at 12:22
  • @GregAskew Thank you for a great, well researched and thoughtful answer! Could you please expand on this part of the question: "How are European politicians (of NATO member countries) actually justifying to their voters, the need to increase their country's military budget to 5% of their GDP?" I would greatly appreciate it, and will be happy to award the bounty to your answer! Commented Jan 1 at 13:59
  • @GregAskew Thank you for the answer, again! Happy to award +100 bounty! Commented Jan 1 at 16:10