BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 4, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - NATO's push to ramp up defences 
must outstrip Russia's rearmament drive as Moscow is already gearing up for 
its "next move" beyond Ukraine, the US ambassador to the alliance said 
Wednesday.

The warning came ahead of a meeting of NATO defence ministers Thursday that 
will seek to forge a deal on hiking military spending for a summit later this 
month.

US President Donald Trump has called on Washington's allies to commit to 
spending five percent of their GDP on defence.

NATO chief Mark Rutte looks on track to secure a compromise deal agreement at 
the upcoming summit in the Hague for 3.5 percent of GDP on core military 
spending, and 1.5 percent on broader security-related areas such as 
infrastructure.

"The urgency of this moment is undeniable as the Russia-Ukraine conflict 
grinds on, Moscow is already preparing for its next move," US ambassador 
Matthew Whitaker told journalists.

"We are already seeing the Kremlin aims to rebuild its military. NATO allies 
must outpace Russia. We have no other choice. Let me be clear, the time is 
now."

Whitaker said "the United States expects every ally to step up with concrete 
plans, budgets, timelines, deliverables, to meet the five percent target".

"This is not going to be just a pledge. This is going to be a commitment. 
Every ally must commit to investing at least five percent of GDP in defence 
and security, starting now again, this is not a suggestion," he said.

The US envoy said that Washington remained committed to NATO's Article Five 
mutual defence clause -- but expected allies to step up their spending.

"We will defend every inch of allied territory, and we will do it from a 
position of unmatched strength," Whitaker said.

NATO ministers will sign off at their meeting in Brussels on new capability 
targets for the weaponry needed to face the threat from Russia.

"We are going to take a huge leap forward," Rutte said.

"These targets set out what forces and concrete capabilities the allies 
need."

Rutte said he was "absolutely, positively convinced" that NATO countries 
would agree to a new spending deal in The Hague.

The NATO chief insisted that the United States "have made totally clear their 
commitment to Article Five".

He similarly insisted that Washington remained committed to backing Ukraine 
despite defence secretary Pete Hegseth skipping a meeting of Kyiv's backers 
in Brussels on Wednesday.