Estonia increases military expenditures, ready to support sanctions against Russia
TALLINN. Dec 11 (Interfax) - Estonia is increasing its military expenditures beyond NATO criteria and is ready to support U.S. sanctions against Russia.
During a meeting between Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas and U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden in the White House on Wednesday, Roivas said: "Long-term presence of the U.S. troops in Estonia is necessary to show the power of NATO and the loyalty of the U.S.," the Estonian government press service told Interfax.
Roivas said "the Estonian government has made a decision to maintain the defense expenditures at the stated level, plus the expenditures on the union troops, which means that the defense expenditures will be higher than 2% of the GDP in 2015."
Biden thanked Estonia for being a good ally and for ensuring its security and contributing 2% of the GDP to its state defense, which is a NATO criterion. Estonia is now one of six NATO countries that fulfill this NATO recommendation.
"Estonia is an example for many other allies," Biden said.
Speaking about the session of the Council of the European Union scheduled to be held next week, Biden said that the U.S. has readiness for additional sanctions.