Trump speaks with NATO secretary general

President-elect Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke via telephone Friday, according to a statement from the alliance.

“The President-elect and the Secretary General both underlined NATO’s enduring importance, and discussed how NATO is adapting to the new security environment, including to counter the threat of terrorism,” the statement said.

{mosads}”Secretary General Stoltenberg also thanked the President-elect for raising the issue of defense spending during the campaign, which has been a top priority for the Secretary General since his appointment in 2014. The two leaders agreed that progress has been made on fairer burden-sharing, but that there is more to do.”

Trump had criticized the transatlantic alliance throughout his campaign, arguing its members should pay more for their own defense and calling it “obsolete.” He also criticized NATO for not doing enough on counterterrorism.

The statement from NATO did not mention any discussion of Russia on the call. NATO members have been anxious about Russia’s intentions following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine last year and annexation of Crimea.

In response to those actions, NATO established a Very High Readiness Joint Task Force and is sending four battalions in eastern Europe to ward off any potential Russian encroachment.

Trump spoke favorably of Russia on the campaign trail and after his first phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump and Stoltenberg will have an opportunity to address the thorny issue of Russia next year, at the next NATO summit.

“The Secretary General said he looked forward to welcoming President-elect Trump to Brussels for the NATO Summit next year to discuss the way forward with Allied Heads of State and Government,” Stoltenberg said.