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Hegseth hails NATO defence spending, but demands some 'friends' do more

News24 (AFP) · back to the audit

Hegseth hails NATO defence spending, but demands some 'friends' do more

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday hailed progress by NATO allies to meet defence spending vows, but said some must 'do more', as he struck a conciliatory tone at an alliance meeting.

'Many countries are following through, some that still need to do more, and we will be candid about that, both in private and in public,' Hegseth said ahead of talks with NATO defence ministers in Brussels.

'When it comes to spending, what we are seeing is staggering amounts of money coming in,' NATO chief Mark Rutte said. He added: Europe and Canada are spending in 2025 more than $90 billion extra compared to 2024, which is almost a 20% increase in defence spending.