Scholz: Germany Will Permanently Raise Defence Spending To 2% Of GDP

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, has announced that Germany will follow through on a pledge made shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and permanently increase its defence spending to 2% of GDP.

• Scholz also stressed that the EU must take a more active role in its own defence, saying the EU "must do more to resolve conflicts in the neighborhood, such as over Kosovo."
• In response to concern over Western nations running a shortfall in ammunition stockpiles, Scholz said the EU "must cooperate strategically on defence industry policy."
• Scholz also responded to concerns that some EU countries may reverse pledges to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine following reports this week that Denmark and the Netherlands had decided to abandon plans: "All partners who can supply battle tanks to ukraine should now do so. Germany will do what it can to help partners supply tanks, such as training soldiers, supporting logistics."