Hagel urges NATO members to raise defence spending

Washington, May 3 (IANS) US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel Friday renewed calls for members of NATO to increase defence spending, following Russia's recent action in Ukraine.

Although NATO was about to end its combat mission in Afghanistan later this year, challenges today remind the members countries of "the enduring need for the alliance" and the need to strengthen it, Hagel said at an event in here on the NATO's future.

"After more than a decade focused on counterinsurgency and stability operations, NATO must balance a new renewed emphasis on territorial defense with its unique expeditionary capabilities, because as we have seen, threats to the alliance neither start nor stop at Europe's doorstep," Xinhua quoted Hagel as saying.

He said Russia's actions in Ukraine have ushered in "new realities" and made NATO's value "abundantly clear."

"NATO must stand ready to visit the basic principles underlying its relationship with Russia," he added.

He called on NATO members to increase their financial contributions to the alliance, as the US spends three times more than the 27 other NATO members.