President Trump assured NATO leaders of continued US commitment to the alliance, a shift from his previous criticisms. NATO chief Mark Rutte defended recent US strikes on Iran as 'absolutely necessary' following alleged attacks on commercial vessels.
NATO leaders adopted the 'Ankara Summit Declaration,' reaffirming their commitment to collective defense and the transatlantic alliance. They pledged to increase defense spending and support Ukraine with over 70 trillion won in military aid, while urging Iran to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
NATO leaders convened in Ankara to address defense spending and support for Ukraine. Key initiatives include the Multilateral Defence Mechanism (MDM) and the proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSR Bank) to boost investment and procurement.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth lauded India as a "critical anchor" for Indo-Pacific stability, emphasizing its role in balancing power. He also discussed co-production of Javelin missiles in India to address US shortages and enhance military interoperability.
Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 20th
