Mark Rutte

Nato chief jokes about 'limping' Russian submarine

Moscow denies one of its vessels had to surface in the English Channel because of technical issues.

In June, member states agreed to boost defence spending and reconfirmed Nato's mutual security guarantee.

There were unexpected moments of levity among the momentous decisions on raising spending to levels not seen since the Cold War.

Mark Rutte appears to approve of the US president's strong language when Trump spoke about the warring nations on Tuesday.

As Nato leaders meet to agree big increases in targets for defence spending, some of them haven't yet met the existing ones.

Higher defence spending will top the agenda when members of the Western alliance gather in The Hague.

In a speech, Mark Rutte warns Russia could be ready to attack Nato within five years.

Some may ask if Mark Rutte's proposal to deter Russian aggression has at least a little to do with appeasing the US president, writes Jonathan Beale.

Mark Rutte urged members to "turbocharge" their defence spending to prevent future war with Russia.

...