Zagreb, 2 April 2025 (Hina/MIA) — NATO is here to stay, and the United States has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to the Alliance and Article 5 on collective defense, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Wednesday.

"I am absolutely convinced that the Alliance is here to stay. Their commitment is absolutely clear," Rutte told a press conference in Brussels.

He added that the US expected European allies and Canada to increase defense spending to at least 2% of GDP, which, according to Rutte, was already happening.

The Secretary General held the press conference ahead of a two-day meeting of foreign ministers from NATO member states scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Brussels.

They will discuss security challenges, strengthening collective defense, and preparations for the NATO summit in The Hague on June 24-25.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the meeting for the first time, and a NATO-Ukraine Council session has also been scheduled.

Rutte noted that in the first three months of this year, allies pledged over $20 billion in military aid to Ukraine.

"The threat we face from Russia remains, and Russia continues to closely cooperate with China, Iran, and North Korea in ways that not only harm Ukraine but also pose a risk to NATO and the entire world," Rutte said.