Stoltenberg counters Trump's claims, stresses NATO's power to defend delinquent members
"Record defense investments have fortified NATO. We've seen the largest investments in decades," acknowledged the NATO chief.
7:04 AM EST, February 14, 2024
"Since 2014, European members of NATO, as well as Canada, have upped their defense spending by 600 billion American dollars. Last year, we even saw an unprecedented 11% increase in this area," Stoltenberg revealed at the outset of an Alliance Defense Ministers' meeting.
"As long as we adhere to this course of action, any attack on our allies can be prevented," he added. "The reassurance lies in NATO's capability to defend its allies. Consequently, we don't discern any real threats to NATO allies since we've considerably bolstered our collective defense since 2014," he reassured.
"As long as we continue to invest and adapt to the current times, we can guarantee all our allies' safety, " the alliance's chief emphasized.
"My message to Donald Trump is that the credibility of NATO's deterrence measures must not be undermined. This applies to both the capabilities we build and the way we communicate. We must ensure that there are no misunderstandings with Moscow; we stand ready to defend our allies, as we have been doing for the past 75 years," added Stoltenberg.
The NATO chief further mentioned that the alliance aggrandizes its nuclear deterrence element.
"As long as we stand united, we can ensure safety and security for our members," Jens Stoltenberg reassured after the press conference.
