Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
US President Donald Trump has urged Nato allies to commit 4% of their annual output (GDP) to military spending – double the current target.
The White House confirmed he had made the remarks during the Western military alliance’s summit in Brussels.
Earlier, Mr Trump criticised Germany over its defence spending and energy reliance on Russia.
Nato’s secretary-general said the main focus should be on all members reaching the current target of 2% of GDP.
Jens Stoltenberg declined to answer a specific question about Mr Trump’s remarks, but told reporters: “I think we should first get to 2%, focus on that now… the good thing is that we are moving to that.”
For decades after the end of the Cold War, he said, Nato countries had cut defence budgets as tensions fell – and now needed to increase them at a time when tensions were rising.