President Zelensky stated this in his address.
The President announced that on February 8, the new head of NATO's Military Committee, Giuseppe Cavò Dragone, is in Ukraine. During their meeting, they discussed preparations for "Ramstein."
According to the president, the Russians are currently increasing their army by more than 100,000 soldiers. He noted that the occupiers are forming new divisions and developing new military production capabilities.
"Putin is preparing not for negotiations, not for a peaceful resolution, but for the continuation of war, and not only against us, against Ukraine," he stated.
He also emphasized that every country will need to strengthen its defense "and the target of 5% of GDP for defense will not disappear from the agenda."
U.S. President Donald Trump has urged NATO countries to increase their defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product.
The current target in the Alliance is set at 2% of GDP. It is expected that some NATO members will find it challenging to maintain a higher percentage (especially those who have only just reached 2% ten years after this level was established). For instance, among the countries that have not met the current target is Italy, which spends about 1.5% of its GDP on defense.
Lithuania and Estonia have already pledged to spend over 5% of their GDP on defense, aiming to significantly boost their military capabilities. Meanwhile, Poland, which has called on other European countries to follow its lead, has promised to reach 4.7% of GDP this year—currently the highest figure in NATO.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also urged European countries "not to rely on the goodwill of a few capitals," but to contribute the necessary funds for collective defense. He also called on EU countries to develop their production capabilities, stating that Europe has more potential than Russia, yet produces less.