Russia on Thursday rejected the idea of NATO countries sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire in the war with Russia, saying such a move would threaten to cause an "uncontrollable escalation".

Europe’s military heavyweights have already said that meeting Donald Trump’s potential challenge to spend up to 5% of their economic output on security would be challenging.

NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte hailed newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump's warning on Wednesday that Russia could expect more tariffs and sanctions if it did not end the war in Ukraine.

NATO is not involved in decisions taken by member states, such as the United States, over hiring in the armed forces based around diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) criteria, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Davos on Thursday.

NATO allies must pay their "fair share" on defence before considering enlarging the alliance, a US presidential envoy said Thursday, as NATO's chief said members will need to ramp up defence spending.

European countries have ramped up defense budgets since Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022. And many leaders have said the increased spending must continue to counter the growing military threat from Moscow.

Lithuania is to increase its defense spending to between 5 percent and 6 percent of its GDP from 2026, matching Trump's target.

Russia is rearming faster than first thought for a potential attack on Nato, Germany’s military pointman on Ukraine has warned.

Slovakia’s pro-Russian prime minister has raised the prospect of his country leaving the European Union and Nato, arguing that world events could consign them to the “history books”.

Speaking at Davos, Poland's foreign minister said Putin was repeating a Soviet-era mistake, which was ruining Russia's economy.

The head of NATO has told members of the defensive alliance that they urgently need to ramp up their defence spending, as the alliance is in a "crisis mode" amid Russian threats