'We have overcome our disagreements in the past, and we must overcome our differences now,' NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg tells Congress.
WASHINGTON – Hailing the 70th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the leader of NATO told U.S. lawmakers Wednesday the military alliance remains strong – but members must resolve disputes that have emerged in the era of President Donald Trump.
Stoltenberg, the former prime minister of Norway, said at one point that"questions are being asked on both sides of the Atlantic about the strength of our partnership." On the other hand, Stoltenberg voiced support for Trump's position that Russia is in violation of the INF by developing new kinds of missiles, and he called on the Russians to desist.
Noting that NATO members are on track to increase defense spending by up to $100 billion, Stoltenberg said that"this has been the clear message from President Trump and this message is having a real impact." He and Stoltenberg are"both committed to ensuring that NATO can address the full range of threats facing the alliance today," Trump said.
In his address, Stoltenberg noted that NATO has had intra-alliance disputes before, including loud disagreement over the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
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