NATO

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has once again criticized US President Donald Trump while simultaneously acknowledging America's right to express dissatisfaction over the inadequate defense spending of its European allies. Stoltenberg's remarks came during a press conference preceding a meeting of defense ministers from NATO member countries in Brussels.

NATO said on Wednesday that Europe had increased its spending on defense and the United States needed allies, days after former US President Donald Trump suggested that Washington might not protect countries that did not spend enough.

According to the Financial Times, citing information from the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service, Putin is preparing for that conflict within the next 10 years.

A top national security adviser to Donald Trump has said that if the former president is returned to power, he will push for changes to NATO that could see some member countries lose their protection against external attack.

Armin Papperger, CEO of the renowned German arms company "Rheinmetall," issued a stark warning, asserting that Europe requires a decade to achieve full readiness to defend itself. Citing concerns over depleted weapons depots and the redirection of ammunition to Ukraine, Papperger's remarks echo a growing sense of urgency in the face of evolving geopolitical tensions.

Former U.S. president Donald Trump defended his record on NATO Monday, saying he had made it "strong" after sparking a firestorm of criticism over comments downplaying his commitment to the alliance.

NATO "cannot be an alliance a la carte," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday after Donald Trump downplayed his commitment to NATO's security umbrella in Europe if he becomes U.S. president again.

Josep Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, has criticized former US President Donald Trump's recent remarks regarding NATO, asserting that the alliance cannot be subject to the whims of individual leaders.

Day 718 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

NATO's secretary general called on Europe to increase its arms production to support Ukraine and prevent "potentially decades of confrontation" with Moscow, in an interview published by German media Saturday.