STORY: NATO needs to return to its roots as a "hardline" military alliance and the United States will be candid in public and private about countries that need to do more to meet their commitments, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday (June 18) at NATO headquarters.

"(There are) some that still need to do more, and we will be candid about that, both in private and in public. I think that's important, friends being honest with friends," Hegseth said as he arrived for a meeting of defense ministers in Brussels

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

NATO needs to go back to a real, hardline military alliance, says US Defence Secretary Hegseth

VIDEO SHOWS: NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE AND U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH GIVING PRESS STATEMENT

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: BRUSSELS BELGIUM, (JUNE 18, 2026) (AGENCY POOL - Access All)

1. U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH AND NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MARK RUTTE WALKING ONTO STAGE / RUTTE SPEAKING

BRUSSELS BELGIUM, (JUNE 18, 2026) (NATO - Access All)

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY, PETE HEGSETH, SAYING:

"NATO 3.0 is post-Cold War recognition that it needs to go back to a real hard-line military alliance that has real military capabilities, capable of deterring right here on the continent and taking the lead for the conventional defense of Europe."

3. WHITE FRAME

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY, PETE HEGSETH, SAYING:

"A lot of commitments made at the Hague Summit. Many countries following through, some that still need to do more. And we will be candid about that, both in private and in public. I think that's important. Friends being honest with friends, making sure that they can step up."

5. HEGSETH AND RUTTE SHAKING HANDS

6. HEGSETH AND RUTTE WALKING OFF STAGE