European Union leaders have played down US President Donald Trump's doubts about unity among NATO states a day after they backed a push to increase military spending amid uncertain US support.
On Thursday, after European leaders pledged hundreds of billions of euros for security, Mr Trump expressed doubt, saying he was “not confident” the military alliance would defend the United States if attacked.
“We are reliable and loyal allies,” French President Emmanuel Macron responded, emphasizing “respect and friendship” for U.S. leaders and adding that France “has the right to expect the same.”
Latvian Ambassador to NATO Maris Riekstins noted that the military alliance continues to be a key instrument for discussing transatlantic security issues.
He also reiterated his country's commitment, which shares a nearly 300-kilometre (186-mile) border with Russia, to increasing defence spending.
Last month, the Baltic country announced plans to increase its spending to 4% of GDP next year and aim for 5%.
Mr Trump's repeated warnings that he could leave European allies alone in the face of a Russian threat have prompted countries that have failed to increase their military spending for decades to look for ways to bolster their security and support Ukraine in its standoff with Russia.
EU leaders agreed on Thursday to measures to ease budget constraints so that interested states can increase their military spending.
Following emergency talks in Brussels, Mr Trump again hinted that the US might abandon its NATO commitments if member states failed to meet defence spending targets.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
