Austin says US is committed to defending territory of NATO members: 'A secure America is impossible without a strong NATO'

Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the U.S. remains firmly committed to defending the territory of all NATO members.

"The United States will continue to stand with our NATO allies and to defend the sovereignty and the territory of every alliance member—every inch of it, as President Biden has repeatedly made clear. Our commitment to Article Five remains ironclad," Austin said in the statement.

Article five of the North Atlantic Treaty stipulates that an attack that targets a party in Europe or North America should be viewed as an attack against all parties.

"The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area," Article five states.

Austin also claimed that America can only be secure if the alliance is strong.

"NATO is the strongest military alliance in history, and it is crucial for America's continued security," he said in the statement. "A secure America is impossible without a strong NATO."

"This mighty alliance's continued unity is vital to meet the strategic dangers posed by Putin's unprovoked aggression and imperial dreams," he asserted.

"Allies also must continue to invest in their defense industrial bases, which is crucial to the future strength of the alliance," Austin declared.

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