William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, has said that Russian aggression in Crimea should force Nato to rethink its defence cuts.

William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, has said that Nato members should increase defence spending in light of Russian action in Ukraine.

The UK will use the Nato summit in Wales later this year to press alliance members to raise defence spending in response to Russian aggression, he told Sky News.

Many Nato members have reduced their defence budgets, a trend that should be reversed, Mr Hague said.

“I think it is important over time for Nato countries to improve their defence capabilities,” he said.

“Many of them have reduced their defence spending to a very low level and one of the things that we will talk about at the Nato summit which is being held in Wales in September is improving Nato’s defence capabilities, making sure that we have got the capabilities for the next few years.

“That will also be looked at in the light of what has happened in Crimea and what happens over the coming weeks.”

Image: UK Foreign Minister William Hague, Sept. 8, 2011 (photo: UK Foreign Ministry)