Nato’s secretary-general has issued a dramatic warning to the US president-elect Donald Trump: “Going it alone is not an option, either for Europe or for the United States.”

Writing exclusively in the Observer, the leader of the western military alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, said the west faces its greatest security challenge in a generation.

He pointedly recalls the blood spilled by Nato allies after they came to the aid of the US following the 9/11 attacks and warns that, rather than “deepening differences” between the 28 members, now is the time to “nurture what unites” under “strong American leadership”.

In the months before his election, Trump described Nato as obsolete and raised questions over whether America under his leadership would come to the aid of a Nato ally under attack. 

Stoltenberg wrote: “We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation. This is no time to question the value of the partnership between Europe and the United States. 

Stoltenberg, who is a former prime minister of Norway, concedes that America’s Nato allies need to increase contributions, a demand made by Trump during the presidential campaign. America accounts for 70% of Nato spending.

Source: MENA