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Mattis to NATO: Boost Defense Spending or US Will 'Moderate Commitment'

by VOA News

   U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told NATO member countries they must
   increase defense spending by the end of the year or the U.S. might
   "moderate its commitment" to the alliance.

   The Pentagon chief was in Brussels to meet for the first time with his
   NATO counterparts. Exactly how the U.S. might "moderate" its
   involvement with NATO was not detailed in the text of Mattis' remarks
   released as alliance's 27 other defense ministers met.

   At the same time, [1]Mattis also sought to allay NATO concerns about
   America's commitment to Europe's security, saying the military alliance
   is central to the relationship between America and its European allies.

   "The alliance remains a fundamental bedrock for the United States and
   for all the transatlantic community," Mattis said.

   NATO members see the meeting as a chance to reaffirm America's
   commitment to Europe's security after President Donald Trump questioned
   the value of military alliance before and after the November U.S.
   presidential election.

   Since taking office on January 20, Trump has been less critical of
   NATO, although he has continued to criticize some member nations for
   failing to make "full and proper financial contributions" to the
   alliance.

   NATO's European members and Canada increased defense spending by about
   $10 billion last year, but NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said
   Wednesday "it is not enough."

   Some NATO allies also have expressed concern over what they perceive as
   a softer stance toward Russia. Trump has praised Russian President
   Vladimir Putin, and U.S. national security advisor Michael Flynn was
   viewed as a leading advocate of warmer relations with Russia. Flynn
   resigned this week under pressure over allegations he discussed U.S.
   sanctions with Russia's ambassador before taking office.

   Meanwhile, NATO has sent alliance troops to Russia's borders in an
   attempt to deter Russia from taking any further action toward
   neighboring countries Crimea and the Ukraine.

   Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and it has directly supported rebels in
   eastern Ukraine to prevent Crimea's return to the Ukraine.

   After White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Tuesday that Trump
   expected Russia to return control of Crimea to the Ukraine, Russia said
   on Wednesday it would not.

   "We don't give back our own territory," Russian foreign ministry
   spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow.

   NATO chief Stoltenberg also said Wednesday the military alliance would
   be concerned if Russia has violated a Cold War-era treaty by deploying
   a cruise missile.

   U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly have determined that Russia
   deployed a ground-launched cruise missile last year, a possible
   violation of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).

   "Any non-compliance of Russia with the INF Treaty would be a serious
   concern for the alliance," said Stoltenberg.

   NATO defense ministers from Europe, Canada and Turkey also plan to
   discuss with Defense Secretary Mattis how the alliance can meet Trump's
   demands to more effectively counter Islamic militants.

   Some material for this report came from AP, AFP and Reuters.

References

   1. http://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1083279/mattis-us-remains-committed-to-nato-as-alliance-transforms