NATO Chief: Allies Must Spend More On Defence

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen addresses a news conference during a NATO defence ministers' meeting at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels February 21, 2013. Rasmussen urged allies on Thursday to reverse damaging defence-spending cuts once their economies improve as U.S. officials warned of the impact that across-the-board U.S. budget reductions could have on the alliance. REUTERS/Eric Vidal

Nato Chief Tells Allies: Spend More On Defence To Deter Russia -- The Telegraph

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Nato's Secretary General, says allies need to modernise armed forces
 

Britain and its Nato allies must respond to Russia’s “illegal aggression” against Ukraine by spending more on defence, the alliance’s secretary general has said.

Writing in The Telegraph, Anders Fogh Rasmussen appeals for Nato members to modernise their armed forces as Russia tries to “carve up” Europe. 
 

“Every ally needs to invest the necessary resources in the right capabilities,” writes Mr Rasmussen. “That means modern equipment, intensive training for our forces, and closer cooperation among Nato allies and with our partners. I know how challenging this is in today’s economic climate, but the security climate makes it vital.”

Mr Rasmussen adds: “In the long run, a lack of security would be more costly than investing now and we owe it to our forces, and to broader society.”

Read more .... 

Update #1: Nato chief calls for spirit of The Three Musketeers to counter Russia’s ‘illegal aggression’ -- The Independent
Update #2: US Asks Europe To Spend More Money For Defense, But It's Not Going To Happen -- David Kashi, IBTime

My Comment: There is no political will in Europe to increase defense spending .... and I do not see this changing in the near future.