DISINFO: Stoltenberg demands that Georgia pays 2% of its GDP to NATO
SUMMARY
During his visit to Georgia in late March, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Georgia should pay 2% of its GDP for defence and NATO will fulfill this purpose for Georgia. Effectively, Georgia should pay money to NATO without being a member and without being afforded protection under Article 5 protection.
RESPONSE
Stoltenberg actually said: “I also welcome your commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence. And I congratulate Georgia for spending… 20% of the defence budget on equipment and modernisation.” Although those figures are NATO target indicators for member states, it was Georgia’s sovereign decision to meet those indicators because Georgia's defence spending is approved by the Georgian Parliament. Compliance with NATO standards and indicators is part of Georgia’s policy of further integration with the alliance. See further debunking by Myth Detector.