United States Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, on Thursday, hailed progress by NATO allies to meet defence spending vows, but said some must “do more”, as he struck a conciliatory tone at an alliance meeting.
“Many countries are following through, some that still need to do more, and we will be candid about that, both in private and in public,” Hegseth said ahead of talks with NATO defence ministers in Brussels.
“I think that’s important — friends being honest with friends.”
The warm tone will likely reassure Washington’s allies ahead of a summit with US President Donald Trump next month — after the mercurial leader lashed out at Europe over its response to his war on Iran.
NATO will look to showcase increased expenditure by Europe to prove to Trump it is progressing on a pledge last year to reach five per cent of GDP on defence-related spending.
“When it comes
This post was originally published on this site.
