Donald Trump has frequently spoken about the need for NATO allies to increase the amount they spend on defense.

NATO and its eight Baltic Sea allies say they are stepping up efforts to deter 'any attempts at sabotage' in the wake of a series of incidents that have damaged key undersea power and telecommunications cables.

The Vice-Chair of the Slovak Parliament, Tibor Gašpar, a close associate of Prime Minister Robert Fico, suggested on Friday evening on the state television channel STVR that Slovakia might consider leaving the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

In this edition, we hear how Austria is on the cusp of crowning a far-right leader, and examine NATO chief Mark Rutte's plans to mend relations with the EU. #BrusselsMyLove

The EU needs to rethink its spending priorities to boost defense budgets, NATO's new Secretary-General Mark Rutte told the European Parliament on Monday.

(Reuters) - NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Monday the alliance's military capability targets may require members to spend as much as 3.7% of GDP on defence but this figure could be reduced with innovation and joint procurement.

The Vice-Chair of the Slovak Parliament, Tibor Gašpar, one of Prime Minister Robert Fico's closest associates, admitted on Friday evening on the state television station STVR that the country might consider exiting the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said members have to boost spending. If not Europeans should "get out your Russian language courses or go to New Zealand," he said. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told members of the security alliance to boost defense spending or prepare to learn Russian.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stressed in his conversation with European Parliament members that he believes defence spending at a level of 2% is insufficient to ensure the safety of allies in the next four to five years.

For the boss of a military alliance dedicated to mutual security, Nato chief Mark Rutte seemed unperturbed by one member's recent threats to annex allied territory. On his first official visit to the European Parliament on Monday,

European Union observers will monitor Kosovo’s parliamentary election on Feb. 9, which is expected to be a key test for Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

Bulgaria's parliament approved on Thursday a cabinet led by Rosen Zhelyazkov, a former parliament speaker, ending months of negotiations on the formation of a coalition government.