NATO will remain united regardless of who wins the US election, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in Berlin, as Washington's allies nervously await the results of the vote.
"Whoever wins this election, we will work with Kamala Harris, we will work with Donald Trump and we will make sure that the alliance remains united," Rutte stressed alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Rutte said he had "no doubt" that whoever wins the election will continue to support NATO because it is "in the interest of the United States," AFP reported.
Western allies fear that turbulent times are ahead for the defence alliance created at the start of the Cold War if Trump wins the November 5 election.
The alliance suffered a blow during Trump's 2017-2021 presidency when he railed at allies for what he said was insufficient spending.
In February, Trump warned that he would encourage the Russians to do "whatever the hell they want" with NATO allies that don't pay more for joint defense.
Meanwhile, Harris frequently pointed to Trump's remarks while promising, like President Joe Biden, to work with allies and support NATO.
Western allies also fear that a Trump presidency could mean a reduction in U.S. military aid to Ukraine, which has been the driver of Kiev's support within NATO and its biggest backer.
Rutte said reports of North Korean troops in Russia meant it was important to do "everything we can to keep not only the Euro-Atlantic region but also the Indo-Pacific region safe."
"This motivates us to step up to do even more," he said, describing Pyongyang's support as "a very serious development and escalation."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made the request to join NATO when he recently presented his "Victory Plan" to Western allies.
Rutte pointed out that bilateral security agreements signed between several countries and Ukraine are "a bridge to NATO membership in the longer term."
"I am absolutely convinced that one day Ukraine will be a member of NATO," he said. | BGNES