NATO reveals that security costs more than Liepāja's entire annual budget
NATO allies have spent 574 billion dollars on defense, proving that money can buy everything except peace. In Liepāja, such sums could buy the entire Pētera Street with all the houses.
NATO announced Thursday that defense spending has increased by 19.6 percent to 574 billion dollars, which is roughly equivalent to buying all the buildings on Liepāja's Pētera Street together with all the cafes and shops. For comparison — with such money you could buy every house from Liepāja to Ventspils, and still have change left over.
NATO Secretary General Rutte announced that allies need to increase production because Ukraine needs more weapons. He also emphasized that governments, parliaments and citizens must be united on this issue, which sounds about as credible as claiming that all Liepāja residents can simultaneously meet on Pētera Street without traffic jams.
The US still spends more on defense than all other allies combined — 838 billion dollars. That's almost enough to build a second Liepāja in space with full infrastructure. While European countries proudly announce they've finally reached the 2 percent GDP threshold, Americans are already planning how to reach 5 percent by 2035.
"Here in Liepāja with our city budget we could buy one NATO tank, and still have money left for a tram ticket," comments local resident Jānis, who regularly sits on a Pētera Street bench watching cars meant for rich people drive by. "But we don't need tanks — we have the sea and wind, and that's much cheaper than any defense system."
⚠️ Satirical article. Facts are preserved, but the presentation is humorous. For accurate information, please refer to the original source.