China News Agency, Washington, June 2 (Reporter Chen Mengtong) NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg visited the Pentagon on the 2nd and met with US Secretary of Defense Austin.
The two sides discussed the situation in Russia and Ukraine and said that NATO needs to agree on a "new strategic concept".
The Pentagon announced on the same day that Stoltenberg's visit to the United States was aimed at discussing the agenda for the NATO Defense Ministers' meeting on June 14 and the NATO leaders' summit in Madrid at the end of June.
He was supposed to step down at the Madrid summit, but NATO leaders asked him to serve another year in light of the situation in Ukraine.
Austin said in the meeting that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has changed the international pattern, and the heads of defense departments of NATO member states are seeking a new strategic concept to strengthen deterrence.
At the same time, he affirmed the dynamism and unity that NATO has shown at this special moment.
Stoltenberg reiterated that raising the defense budget of NATO members to 2% of GDP is a "minimum requirement", a move that will ensure more investment in NATO.
"In Europe and Canada, we have seen defense spending increase for the seventh year in a row, with a growing number of allies meeting the 2 percent requirement."
Earlier in the day, Stoltenberg went to the White House to meet with US President Joe Biden.
The White House later issued a statement saying that the two sides discussed the situation in Ukraine and the importance of strengthening NATO's deterrence and defense.
Regarding the application of Finland and Sweden to join NATO, Stoltenberg said that the two countries will quickly advance the "joining" process by addressing the security concerns of all member states. Biden expressed "strong support" for this.
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