NATO says US to remain loyal ally of alliance

The US will remain a staunch NATO ally, no matter who ends up in the White House after the upcoming November presidential election, Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with Sky News, Report informs.

Criticism from inside the US that other NATO allies do not spend enough was fair in times gone by, but "things have really changed", said secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.

NATO support for Ukraine is an example of "transatlantic burden-sharing", he said, pointing out that while US has provided $75 billion in assistance, all other NATO allies have provided more than $100 billion.

His comments follow remarks made by Donald Trump, who said he will "not protect" nations he believes do not pay enough into the alliance should he become president.

"No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay," Trump said.

Appearing to reference Trump's statement, Stoltenberg said: "NATO continues to ensure there is no room for miscalculation in Moscow about our readiness to protect all allies."

He said 18 allies will spend the target 2% of the GDP on defense this year, a six-fold increase from three allies in 2014.

NATO allies in Europe will invest $380 billion in defense this year, he added.

The alliance is currently conducting the largest NATO exercise in decades, with approximately "90,000 forces" from all allies and Sweden, to test its ability to defend its eastern flank.

"We can never take peace for granted but we do not see any imminent military threat against the alliance," he said.