US cites Ukraine, calls on NATO allies to boost military spending
Iran Press TV
Sat May 3, 2014 11:59AM GMT
US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has called on Washington's NATO allies to increase their military spending, citing the recent crisis in Ukraine to highlight the issue.
"NATO must stand ready to revisit the basic principles underlying its relationship with Russia," the Pentagon chief said on Friday at the Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington.
Stressing that Washington's outlays are three times that of the other 27 member states of the alliance, Hagel said the United States expects "renewed financial commitments" from other members.
"This lopsided burden threatens NATO's integrity, cohesion and capability - and ultimately, both European and transatlantic security," he said. "We must see renewed financial commitments from all NATO members."
Referring to the recent crisis in Ukraine, Hagel said NATO allies in the future "should expect Russia to test our alliance's purpose, stamina, and commitment."
Earlier this year, US President Barack Obama also criticized NATO allies for slashing their military spending, saying all 28 members should be "chipping in."
"The situation in Ukraine reminds us that our freedom isn't free, and we've got to be willing to pay for the assets, the personnel, the training that's required to make sure that we have a credible NATO force," Obama said on March 26 after a summit with European Union leaders in Brussels, Belgium.
On Friday, Obama expressed support for Ukraine's military operation in the east of the country, saying Kiev has the right to "restore order" in the region.
Over 40 people were killed in the Ukrainian city of Odessa after a trade building where pro-Russian activists had taken shelter was set ablaze on Friday.
Four others died during clashes between pro-Moscow and pro-Kiev protesters in the city. Police have detained over 130 people in relation to the violence, charging them with participating in riots and premeditated murder.
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