US Commitment to NATO

Defence – in the House of Commons am ar 10 Chwefror 2025.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Wendy Chamberlain Wendy Chamberlain Liberal Democrat Chief Whip

Whether he has had discussions with officials in the US Administration on its commitment to NATO.

Photo of John Healey John Healey The Secretary of State for Defence

I held the first call with the new US Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, last month. We discussed the importance of all NATO allies doing more, including on defence spending. I look forward to meeting Secretary Hegseth this week at the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers.

Photo of Wendy Chamberlain Wendy Chamberlain Liberal Democrat Chief Whip

Members of this House have raised concerns about the impact on Ukraine of both the new US Administration and continuing Russian aggression. Can the Secretary of State assure me that he will use the upcoming Munich security conference to determine with allies the best way of ensuring Ukraine’s victory?

Photo of John Healey John Healey The Secretary of State for Defence

I can indeed. I welcome the fact, as I think will the hon. Lady, that the new US Defence Secretary is spending his third full week in office in Europe. He has made it clear that he wants to discuss how to strengthen alliances, how to expand our defence industries on both sides of the Atlantic, and how to boost allied defence spending, including on Ukraine. That is something we all agree on.

Photo of Chris McDonald Chris McDonald Llafur, Stockton North

I welcome the Secretary of State’s answer, but in the face of wider Russian aggression, could he expand on what conversations he has already had with NATO counterparts about how NATO can respond appropriately to the threat from Russia?

Photo of John Healey John Healey The Secretary of State for Defence

I can indeed. Everyone in NATO, including every one of the European allies within NATO, is ready and is stepping up on Euro-Atlantic security. This Wednesday I will have the privilege of chairing the Ukraine defence contact group, a 50 nation-strong group in which we co-ordinate the support that Ukraine needs, because we must stay with Ukraine for as long as it takes.