VOA: Tillerson: NATO Allies Must Boost Their Defense Budgets
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, meeting with his NATO allies' counterparts, said Friday in Brussels that they must increase their countries' defense budgets.
The top U.S. diplomat told the foreign ministers the alliance must have "all of the resources, financial and otherwise, that are necessary for NATO to fulfill its mission" in places like Iraq and Syria.
Earlier Friday, Tillerson said he also wanted to discuss "Russia's aggression in Ukraine" with the NATO allies.
Upon arrival in Brussels, the top U.S. diplomat said he sees three important areas to discuss: NATO's resources for its mission, the organization's fight against terrorism, including Islamic State, and NATO's posture in Europe, "most particularly Eastern Europe in response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and elsewhere."
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WNU Editor: The U.S. Secretary has told NATO members that they have 2 months to propose a plan on how they will be boosting their defense budgets. I know in Canada .... they are not going to do it. And the Germans .... they are signalling no .... Germany balks at Tillerson call for more European NATO spending (Reuters).
More News On U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Warning NATO Members That They Must Boost Their Defense Budgets
Tillerson demands US's NATO allies pay up -- AFP
Tillerson gives NATO two-month deadline on defense spending -- The Hill
US gives NATO allies 2 months for defence spending plans -- Canadian Press
Tillerson Calls NATO Critical in Countering Russian Aggression -- Bloomberg
