U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte briefed reporters on Thursday following a NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in Brussels. Before answering questions, Hegseth told NATO members that they must increase their defense spending from the current 2% of annual GDP.

Two percent is a start, as President Trump has said, but it’s not enough, nor is 3%, nor is 4% — more like 5%,” the defense secretary said in a speech in Brussels.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered opening remarks at the 26th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels on Wednesday, outlining the Trump administration’s approach to ending the war in Ukraine and emphasizing the need for European allies to take greater responsibility for their own security.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned European NATO allies against relying too heavily on America for defence. Speaking at NATO HQ in Brussels, Hegseth said, 'President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hammered home a message upon arrival at NATO headquarters Thursday that allies need to show more urgency in building up their respective militaries to counter a more aggressive Russia.