US plans to remain in NATO, but Alliance must become more viable - Rubio
The United States does not question its membership in NATO.
According to Censor.NET, with reference to European Pravda, this was stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a joint briefing with NATO Secretary General before the start of the meeting of NATO ministers.
He reminded that the United States recently lost 4 soldiers who were killed in a training exercise in Lithuania.
"This reminds us that the United States is in NATO," he added.
Rubio used the occasion to emphasize that his country intends to remain in the Alliance.
"The president of the United States has made it clear that he supports NATO, and we plan to stay in NATO," he said, adding that he considers the opposite view "hysteria."
However, he said, for NATO to succeed with the United States as a member, changes are needed from other alliances, including an increase in their military budgets. Rubio emphasized that he considers such a mutually beneficial "exchange" between the allies to be normal.
"We need NATO to become more viable. The only way for the Alliance to become stronger and more resilient is through strengthening (defense) capabilities... We prioritize defense and we expect the same," he explained.
