Against the background of growing threats from Russia, neutral countries that are not members of NATO, but use its "protective umbrella", should join the military alliance, British Defense Secretary Grant Schapps said on Wednesday, reports UNN with reference to Politico.
Details
Schaps did not directly point to non-NATO European countries such as Ireland, Malta, Austria and Switzerland, which have long maintained neutrality. But he made it clear that Britain will lobby for more countries to join the bloc.
"I will stand up for the interests of NATO in order to involve all those who use the alliance's protective umbrella in the organization," the British Defense Secretary said.
"Some European countries benefit from the protection of NATO, they enjoy the benefits of freedom, but at the same time they do not subscribe to the collective containment of the continent," Schapps added, pointing to the threat posed by Russia. "However, when the Wolf gets close to the back door of European security, there should be no room for neutrality," the minister said.
Addition
According to the publication, Shaps also called on existing NATO members to increase defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP. The Alliance's current goal of spending at least 2 percent of GDP on defense is met by about two - thirds of NATO's 32 members.
Shaps promised to raise this issue at the NATO summit dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Alliance, which will be held in Washington in July.