President Obama Concerned NATO Allies Spending Less On Defense

BRUSSELS (AP) — President Barack Obama says he's concerned that some NATO allies are reducing their spending on defense.

Obama says for collective defense to work, everybody has to pitch in. He says that's necessary to ensure that NATO remains a credible force in the world.

Obama says NATO can't just be a U.S. or British exercise.

Obama spoke at a news conference with European Union leaders in Brussels amid concern about Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea. Obama says the situation in Ukraine, in his words, "reminds us that our freedom isn't free.

Obama meets later Wednesday with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (AHN'-derz fohg RAHS'-moo-sihn). Obama says there are no immediate plans for a NATO expansion. Ukraine is not a NATO member.

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