ISTANBUL

The Spanish prime minister tied the recently announced increase in defense spending to the changing global context during a speech Wednesday to Congress.

“The international context has changed abruptly in recent months. We all know this. We have spent three years suffering from Putin's neo-imperialism. The instability in the Sahel has been the subject of numerous appearances by the government,” said Pedro Sanchez.

Sanchez noted the “180-degree shift in the political and geopolitical strategy of the new United States administration,” as one of the reasons Spain will raise its defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) by the end of 2025 as part of a new Industrial and Technological Plan for Security and Defense worth €10.471 billion ($11.2 billion).

“I believe that Spain and Europe must adapt to this reality. It challenges us. We must adapt and anticipate the consequences of this new reality,” he noted.

Sanchez described the increase as an “additional effort” against “threats” faced by Europe and for Spain’s “interests.”

“I want to reiterate to citizens that our objective is not to threaten anyone nor, of course, to engage in any arms race,” he said. “Our goal is to protect ourselves, to deter those who wish us harm. Our goal is to modernize our armed forces with deterrent and security capabilities so that Spain and Europe can continue moving forward in their project of rights, freedoms, and democracy.”​​​​​​​