Military alliance NATO agrees on committing 5% of GDP towards defense expenditure.
American President's Secret Communication with NATO Chief on Defense Expansion
In a shocking revelation, former U.S. president Donald Trump uploaded an alleged message from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on his Truth Social platform. The message, reportedly sent through a secure messaging app like Signal, indicates that all alliance members have agreed to boost defense spending to 5% of their respective GDPs.
Trump's message reads, "Tonight in The Hague, we're about to seal another monumental victory. It wasn't easy, but we've convinced 'em all to pitch in 5%! Donald, you've masterfully steered us into a pivotal moment for America, Europe, and the world. You'll write history, making Europe shoulder its fair share, and this will be your glory."
Stoltenberg also acknowledged Trump's role in resolving the Iran situation in a separate statement.
At a press conference prior to the NATO summit in The Hague (June 24-25), Stoltenberg confirmed the agreement on a new investment plan: member countries will allocate 5% of their GDP for defense purposes. Specifically, 3.5% will fund military needs, while 1.5% will be allocated for infrastructure development, including modernization of ports and transport networks to bolster the alliance's defense capabilities.
The disclosure of sensitive data through the Signal messenger app in U.S. government structures gained prominence following an incident involving the discussion of classified information.
On March 24, Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic's chief editor, disclosed details of a request he received to add Signal contacts from a user named Mike Waltz (former national security assistant to the president). Two days later, Goldberg was added to a group chat discussing airstrikes in Yemen. According to Goldberg, on March 15, a user named Pete Hegseth (U.S. Defense Secretary, allegedly) shared specifics of an impending operation against the Yemeni Houthis, including timelines for the attacks, which reportedly coincided with real bombings. The Associated Press previously reported an unsecured internet connection in Hegseth's Pentagon office, through which he purportedly used Signal, bypassing cybersecurity protocols. The Washington Post, citing sources, claimed that Hegseth installed the messenger on his work computer due to poor cellular reception, despite restrictions on using such apps for transmitting sensitive information.
## Controversial Plans: NATO Nations may Deploy Millions of Mines Along Russian Border
Five NATO member states—Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—are contemplating installing millions of landmines along their borders with Russia and Belarus. This move is part of a broader strategy to erect a new "Iron Curtain," intended to deter a potential Russian invasion. Some of these countries have announced their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention—an internationally ratified treaty that forbids the use, stockpiling, and production of anti-personnel mines. Once they officially submit their withdrawal to the United Nations, they will be entitled to produce, stockpile, and deploy landmines on their territories by the end of 2025[1][2][3].
The motivation behind deploying landmines stems from security concerns. NATO countries along the Russian border view these defensive measures as crucial to deterring a possible Russian invasion. The rough terrain in areas like Finland's forests and the strategic positioning of the Baltic states make landmines a practical choice for defense planners. The potential for landmine deployment is seen as a strategic move to bolster border security and deter hostility[1][2][3].
Key Points:
- Withdrawal from Ottawa Convention: All five countries have declared their intention to secede from the treaty, enabling them to manufacture and deploy anti-personnel mines[1][4].
- Military Assessment: Military experts are assessing which border sections would be mined in the event of armed conflict[2][3].
- Security Concerns: The decision to deploy landmines is driven by concerns about a potential Russian invasion and the need for robust defense measures[1][2][3].
NATO's policy-and-legislation regarding defense expenditure is shifting, as evidenced by the agreement to allocate 5% of GDP for defense purposes, following discussions between the American President and the NATO Chief. (From the text: "At a press conference prior to the NATO summit in The Hague (June 24-25), Stoltenberg confirmed the agreement on a new investment plan: member countries will allocate 5% of their GDP for defense purposes.")
This development comes amidst the controversial contemplation of deploying millions of landmines along the borders of Russia and Belarus by several NATO nations, driven by politics and general news events like the perceived threat of a Russian invasion. (From the text: "Five NATO member states—Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—are contemplating installing millions of landmines along their borders with Russia and Belarus.")
