German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu, called for a stronger European defense capability in light of growing security challenges, stating that spending 2% of GDP on defense ‘is not enough.’In a joint interview with French TV channel LCI, both ministers expressed their reluctance to engage in a ‘numbers game’ in response to US President Donald Trump's demand for NATO members to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP.Minister Pistorius remarked that in Europe, whether because of pressure from Trump or other factors, they understand that dedicating just 2% of GDP isn't sufficient to ensure their forces readyness to defend themselves in case of a Russian attack or to maintain deterrence.Minister Lecornu, for his part, emphasized the importance of increasing defense funding across Europe but pointed out that the focus should not be solely on the figures. He stressed that it's about how funds are used ensuring they build well-trained and properly equipped forces, rather than simply purchasing weapons without a clear, effective plan for their deployment.Earlier, President Trump called for NATO countries to boost their defense spending to 5% of GDP, reiterating his criticism that they ‘pay less than they should for US protection.’
