Rubio confirms US is 'going to remain in NATO' and wants members to achieve 5% of GDP in defence spending

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed the US's strong support for NATO during his meeting with NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels. Highlighting the importance of NATO’s viability, he insisted that member countries must increase their defense spending to aims towards a GDP target of 5%. Rubio backed President Trump's position on NATO but addressed what he termed 'unwarranted hysteria' surrounding its role. He praised Poland and Baltic states for their commitment to increased military spending since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the necessity of hard power as a deterrent.

As we speak right now, the United States is as active in NATO as it has ever been.

President Trump has made clear he supports NATO. We're going to remain in NATO.

We want NATO to be more viable. And the only way NATO can get stronger and more viable is if our partners, the nation states that comprise this important alliance, have more capability.

Some of this hysteria and hyperbole that I see in the global media, and some domestic media in the United States, about NATO is unwarranted.

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