It seems odd to agree with Bill Gates these days. Odder still that Gates would choose Sweden to pick on when all EU countries but a very few deserve criticism for their madness.
Bill Gates slams Sweden over increased military spending
US billionaire Bill Gates has criticized Sweden for earmarking ever more money for the military, while slashing its financial commitment to international aid programs.
In an interview to Sweden’s Dagens Industri newspaper on Wednesday, Gates, who is known for his involvement in many philanthropic projects around the world, expressed regret that the Scandinavian country’s budget bill this year does not include allocations for the Global Fund – an organization that fights AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria worldwide.
Commenting on Stockholm’s growing military spending, Gates said that the issue “should be debated more.”
“Is this what people want to see, and is it really necessary?” he inquired.
Foreign Trade Minister Benjamin Dousa responded to Gates’ criticism by defending the country’s shift in priorities.
”If we don’t want our children to speak Russian in the future, we need to have a very strong defense,” he insisted, speaking to TT news agency.
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Sweden abandoned its centuries-long neutrality and applied for NATO membership, which it was granted two years later.
In July, state broadcaster SVT reported that the Swedish government intended to raise the maximum conscription age for former military officers from 47 to 70 as part of its push to double personnel to 115,000 by 2030.
Earlier this year, the country’s parliament also passed legislation pledging an additional 300 billion kronor ($31.4 billion) in spending on the armed forces, on top of annual budget increases.
At a summit in The Hague in June, NATO member states committed to increasing defense spending from the previous threshold of 2% to 5% of GDP by 2035.
The European Union, of which Sweden is also a member, has similarly approved several programs aimed at boosting military spending this year, including the €800 billion ReArm Europe initiative.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed claims that Moscow harbors aggressive plans toward Sweden.
Putin similarly described claims of imminent Russian aggression against EU member states as a “nonsense mantra,” calling the very idea “inconceivable.”
South Korean defence giant hit by Chinese sanctions offers anti-ship missile to Manila
Hanwha is willing to sell its CTM-ASBM, expected to be complete by 2028, to the Philippines, naval news website says
South Korean defence giant Hanwha Group is reportedly looking to sell its coming anti-ship ballistic missile range to the Philippines.
According to a report on Monday by the Paris-based Naval News website, Hanwha said it was willing to sell its forthcoming CTM anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) to the Philippines to meet “growing demand from customers seeking anti-ship capability”.
Lithuania’s government at odds over record military spend
Lithuania’s draft budget for 2026 has fueled tensions within the ruling party, after the prime minister accused the defense ministry of misleading the public over military spending plans.
This week the Baltic nation’s government endorsed a record defense budget of €4.79 billion ($5.6 billion), equal to 5.38% of GDP, and in line with NATO’s drive to boost military spending. The draft will be debated before final parliamentary approval later this year.
However, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry held an off-the-record meeting with journalists and opinion leaders on Tuesday, who were allegedly told military spending would be below 5% of GDP and to pressure the government to increase the funding, local media reported.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene initially called the meeting “sabotage” and that the defense budget had been prepared and agreed upon earlier. She criticized party colleague and Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, telling the media that she will meet with her on Monday.
“We are all on the same team,” Sakaliene told reporters in response, adding that “hostile forces can easily exploit misunderstandings.”
Under pressure from US President Donald Trump, European NATO members promised to increase military budgets to 5% of GDP. EU governments have also announced large-scale military investments, citing an alleged threat posed by Russia.
Moscow has repeatedly denied assertions that it intends to attack the US-led military bloc and has pointed out Western European leaders’ increasingly bellicose rhetoric, and military buildup.
Along with its Baltic neighbors, Lithuania has taken a hard line toward Moscow since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. The country has been one of Kiev’s most vocal supporters, pressing for tougher sanctions and greater NATO involvement.
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