Defence Secretary: NATO Allies, We Are in a ‘Pre-War World’

Defense Secretary: NATO Allies, We are in a ‘Pre-War Era’

April 4, 2024 TruthUSA

Grant Shapps expressed concern that hostile forces are converging, targeting our democracy, and called on NATO to increase support for Ukraine and allocate more funds for defense.

The Defense Secretary emphasized the shift from a post-war to a pre-war era and urged NATO allies to boost defense spending.

In an article published in The Telegraph, Shapps urged alliance members to surpass the 2 percent defense spending benchmark to enhance collective security, cautioning against the alignment of powers like China and Russia that pose a threat to democracy.

Shapps called for increased support for Ukraine to counter Russian aggression and fortify the Euro-Atlantic defense sector.

These statements were made ahead of the 75th anniversary of the defense treaty.

Emergence of Threats from Global Actors

“We are transitioning from a post-war to a pre-war reality,” Shapps stated, underscoring the need for NATO members to address new threats posed by hostile global actors.

He highlighted Russia’s aggression towards neighboring countries, China’s growing assertiveness, Iran’s disruptive activities through proxies, and North Korea’s nuclear threats.

“These adversarial forces are increasingly aligning, posing a direct challenge to our democratic values,” he added.

Commitment to Defense Spending

Shapps reiterated his warning about the transition to a “pre-war” state made in January and urged NATO allies to meet their defense spending responsibilities.

Alliance members were called upon to contribute more towards ensuring security, surpassing the 2 percent spending target agreed upon a decade ago.

The UK’s defense spending currently exceeds 2.28 percent, with plans to increase it to 2.5 percent.

Shapps emphasized the need to go beyond the set target to bolster defenses, citing concerns over nations failing to meet even the 2 percent benchmark.

Traditionally, the US has been the largest funder of the alliance, but Poland’s defense spending surpassed that of the US last year, exceeding 3.90 percent.

Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron echoed Shapps’ message, urging allies at a NATO meeting to increase defense spending in response to Russian aggression and heightened global threats.

Support for Ukraine

Shapps emphasized the need to intensify support for Ukraine, highlighting the country’s vital role in countering Russian aggression and safeguarding freedom.

Since 2022, the UK has provided significant military support to Ukraine, with extensive training initiatives for its military personnel.

Britain's Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (R) meets Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sept. 28, 2023. (UK Ministry of Defence) — Britain’s Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (R) meets Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sept. 28, 2023. (UK Ministry of Defence)

Lord Cameron stressed the growing bond between NATO and Ukraine, urging sustained support to help Ukraine prevail in the war.

However, Lord Cameron ruled out direct NATO intervention in Ukraine, opting for a strategic support approach rather than a boots-on-the-ground deployment.

He emphasized using the NATO framework to aid Ukraine, differentiating between a mission “for Ukraine” versus “in Ukraine.”

Former Prime Minister Lord Cameron expressed the importance of helping Ukraine as an independent sovereign state defend against aggressors.

Enhancing Defense Capabilities

Shapps called for bolstering the Euro-Atlantic defense sector by investing more in ammunition and maintaining stockpiles.

The UK has played a significant role in the NATO partnership, leading in the Steadfast Defender training exercise, the bloc’s largest European exercise since the Cold War.

Shapps highlighted the UK’s involvement in multilateral defense procurement projects, allocation of funds for Ukraine’s ammunition reserves, and a deal to supply drones to Ukraine.