Page 8 - Latest Updates on NATO
Nato weighs US demand to hike defence spend as some fail to meet goal
Secretary of State Marco Rubio underlined that the alliance is only as strong as its weakest link
 "Nato weighs US demand to hike defence spend as some fail to meet goal")
Nato chief urges allies to spend at least 3.5% of GDP on defence: Dutch PM
In 2023, as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine entered its second year, Nato leaders agreed that all allies should spend at least 2 per cent of GDP
 "Nato chief urges allies to spend at least 3.5% of GDP on defence: Dutch PM")
UK steps up Ukraine aid as Western allies rally to secure arms, ammunition
Britain said that in a joint effort with Norway just over $580 million would be spent to provide hundreds of thousands of military drones, radar systems and anti-tank mines
 "UK steps up Ukraine aid as Western allies rally to secure arms, ammunition")
Defence chiefs from 30 nations to attend Nato talks on future Ukraine force
Meeting at Nato HQs- the first between defence ministers representing the so-called coalition of the willing comes after a visit to Kyiv last week by senior British and French military officers
 "Defence chiefs from 30 nations to attend Nato talks on future Ukraine force")
Japan interested in joining Nato command for supporting Ukraine's mission
Nakatani said Japan wants to further deepen security cooperation with NATO and that participation in the NSATU mission would help Tokyo learn lessons from Russia's invasion of Ukraine
 "Japan interested in joining Nato command for supporting Ukraine's mission")
US Navy Vice Admiral Chatfield fired in expanding national security purge
The information was not immediately confirmed by the Pentagon. However, the sources told Reuters that allies had been notified that Chatfield had been removed from her job
 "US Navy Vice Admiral Chatfield fired in expanding national security purge")
US is committed to Nato, but Europe must spend more on defence: Rubio
According to NATO estimates, some of the continent's big economies, such as Italy and Spain, are among those below the current 2 per cent target, at around 1.5 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively
 "US is committed to Nato, but Europe must spend more on defence: Rubio")
Rubio arrives for Nato talks as allies await US plans on Europe drawdown
Since Defence Secy Pete Hegseth warned last month that US security priorities lie in Asia and at home, Europe awaits details on the scale and speed of a potential military drawdown
Wary Europe awaits US Secretary of State Rubio with Nato's future on line
Allies are deeply concerned by President Donald Trump's readiness to draw closer to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who sees Nato as a threat, amid a US effort to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine
 "Wary Europe awaits US Secretary of State Rubio with Nato's future on line")
Senate confirms Matt Whitaker as Donald Trump's ambassador to Nato
Whitaker, who had served in Trump's first administration at the Justice Department, brings a law enforcement background rather than deep foreign policy or national security ties
 "Senate confirms Matt Whitaker as Donald Trump's ambassador to Nato")
In 'surprise visit', US delegation meets Afghanistan's foreign minister
The surprise visit coincides with speculation that the Trump administration 'reassessing' its approach to engaging with the Taliban
 "In 'surprise visit', US delegation meets Afghanistan's foreign minister")
After Trump's call, Putin agrees to 30-day halt on striking Ukraine's infra
Following the Trump-Putin call, the Kremlin announced that Ukraine and Russia will exchange 175 prisoners of war each
 "After Trump's call, Putin agrees to 30-day halt on striking Ukraine's infra")
Nato chief Mark Rutte says Russia relations should be restored after war
Rutte is walking a fine line between the US - Nato's most important member - and Europe, which is dealing with an increasingly aggressive Russia
 "Nato chief Mark Rutte says Russia relations should be restored after war")
Trump confident US will annex Greenland, says Nato chief could be key
Trump said the US needs Greenland for international security and hinted at future discussions on the matter
 "Trump confident US will annex Greenland, says Nato chief could be key")
EU chief asks member nations to use European, not American defence systems
At a summit last week, the EU's 27 leaders weighed a European Commission proposal for a new loan plan worth $163 bn. It would be used to buy air defence systems, drones and strategic enablers
 "EU chief asks member nations to use European, not American defence systems")
Elon Musk backs US to exit NATO, questions funding Europe's defence
On March 3, Musk wrote on X he agreed with a suggestion by a conservative commentator that the US should leave both NATO and the United Nations
 "Elon Musk backs US to exit NATO, questions funding Europe's defence")
Trump casts doubt on Nato solidarity, despite it aiding US after Sept 11
Trump also suggested that the US might abandon its commitments to the alliance if member countries don't meet defence spending targets
 "Trump casts doubt on Nato solidarity, despite it aiding US after Sept 11")
EU mulls 800 bn euro plan to beef up defences to counter 'US disengagement'
Key to the quandary of EU nations has been an unwillingness to spend much on defense over the past decades as they hid under the US nuclear umbrella and a sluggish economy
 "EU mulls 800 bn euro plan to beef up defences to counter 'US disengagement'")
Nato chief Rutte urges Zelenskyy to mend his relationship with Trump
He said he told Zelenskyy that "we really have to respect what President Trump has done so far for Ukraine"
 "Nato chief Rutte urges Zelenskyy to mend his relationship with Trump")
If Ukraine does not join Nato, will have to create it within nation: Prez
This comes after he indicated that he was ready to quit as Ukraine's president if it meant Kyiv would be admitted to the Nato alliance
 "If Ukraine does not join Nato, will have to create it within nation: Prez")