Boris Johnson says NATO members will need to ‘dig deep’ and prepare for a more dangerous decade | World News

Boris Johnson is expected to tell NATO members to “dig deep” and prepare for a more dangerous decade of growing threats.

The first day of a NATO The summit begins Wednesday in Madrid, Spain, where the allies will discuss the future of NATO, as NATO seeks to unify a plan for a new decade of growing threats. .

In his speech, Boris Johnson will urge member states to invest more in modernizing defense, warning this decade will be more dangerous and competitive than the last.

NATO members commit to spending at least 2% of their gross domestic product on defense, but only nine of the alliance’s 30 members meet that requirement.

The UK has achieved that goal every year since its founding, and Mr. Johnson would say: “The NATO Alliance keeps our people safe every day. But over the next 10 years, threats come around us will increase more and more.

“We need our allies – all of them – to dig deep to restore deterrence and secure defense for the next decade.

“The 2% level has always meant a floor, not a ceiling, and allies must continue to push in this time of crisis.”

UK defense spending is expected to hit 2.3% of GDP this year, largely due to support given to Ukraine since February.

UK expands presence in Estonia

The Prime Minister will also announce that the UK’s military presence in Estonia will be reinforced, a decision made just days after NATO announced the plan. increase the number of troops in high readiness state increased by 650%, from 40,000 to 300,000.

According to officials, a greater presence in Estonia would allow Britain to deliver reinforcements quickly if needed.

“We are working with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on what we can do to give more support to Estonia, to help them function.

Mr Johnson said: “Work is happening because of the close political and military partnership.

At home, however, the prime minister faces criticism over funding levels for the military, with the new head of the army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, saying further cuts to the army would be “wrong.” left”.

The British Army is expected to shrink from its target figure of 82,000 to 72,500.

Sweden and Finland one step closer to membership

On the eve of the summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan removal of the membership regulations of Sweden and Finland within NATO, a big boost for the alliance.

Until Tuesday, Turkey has resisted this movestressed that the Nordic countries should change their stance towards Kurdish rebel groups that it considers terrorists.

However, an agreement was reached, paving the way for Finland and Sweden.

Mr Johnson is expected to meet the leaders of Turkey and the two Nordic nations on the sidelines of the summit on Wednesday.

Subscribe to the daily podcast onApple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify,Speaker

The UK has supported Sweden and Finland’s bids to join the union.

Mr Johnson said they had “broken decades of historical neutrality” to join the organisation, which showed the union was “in good shape”.

“The membership of Sweden and Finland will make our great union stronger and more secure,” he said.