Russia says NATO spending increase will not have ‘significant’ impact on its security

ISTANBUL

Russia said on Thursday that NATO’s decision to increase defense spending to 5% of its members' GDP by 2035 will not have a “significant” impact on its security.

“As for the impact of this goal of 5% on our security, I don't think it will be significant,” Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a joint press conference with his Laotian counterpart Thongsavanh Phomvihane following talks in Moscow.

Lavrov said Russia knows what goals it is pursuing, which are “absolutely legal from the point of view of any interpretation of the principles of the UN Charter and international law.”

“We know by what means we will always ensure these goals,” he added.

The Russian foreign minister also touched on the situation in the Middle East, arguing that both Washington and Tehran are interested in moving the situation towards a peaceful course.

Lavrov said Russia hopes for the continuation of Tehran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) despite its decision to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

He said the nuclear non-proliferation regime has suffered as a result of Israel and the US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities.

“It seems to me that everyone is interested in the situation now moving into a political channel … the chief of the general staff of Israel said that for now the ceasefire is in effect, but this is primarily because it is necessary to complete what has been started with regard to Hamas, and then it is imperative to return to continuing the operation against Iran.

“This is alarming and runs counter to the statements of almost all other participants involved in this situation, including, as I have already said, the statements of (US President) Donald Trump,” he added.

The 12-day war between Iran and Israel halted on Tuesday after Trump announced a ceasefire.

NATO member states, after a summit in The Hague on Wednesday, pledged to allocate 5% of GDP annually by 2035 to meet both core defense requirements and broader security needs.