NATO chief talks of Russian missile 'concern'

By Ata Ufuk Seker

BRUSSELS (AA) - The head of NATO on Wednesday said reports Russia had secretly deployed a new intermediate-range cruise missile could be of “serious concern”.

Speaking in Brussels alongside U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers, the alliance’s Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, also said the body continued to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

NATO has recently intensified military cooperation with Ukraine but refrained from offering Kiev full membership, largely due to reservations by key members Germany and France.

Ukraine has been wracked by conflict since April 2014, following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

"This is a crucial time for our transatlantic alliance,” Stoltenberg said.

Stoltenberg also said defense spending among European allies and Canada increased by 3.8 percent in real terms in 2016 -- roughly $10 billion.

"This is significant, but it is not enough," Stoltenberg added.

Mattis -- who served as NATO’s supreme allied commander for transformation between 2007 and 2009 -- described Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its military intervention in eastern Ukraine as a turning point for the international security.

"The alliance remains a fundamental bedrock for the United States and for all the transatlantic community, bonded as we are together," he said.

Turkey's Defense Minister Fikri Isik will represent Ankara during the NATO meeting.

Ministers are expected to discuss a new southern hub for NATO's Joint Force Command to be based in Naples, Italy.

This is expected to share data among NATO members.

Latest U.S. deployments in the Baltics and Poland will also be high on the agenda, as will terrorism.