Germany intends to strengthen NATO

German Chancellor Angela Merkel underscored her government's commitment to strengthening NATO's eastern flank.

Merkel said Germany would continue to do engage in regular dialogue with Russia but also saw "new threats" close to Europe, and was determined to both increase its own military spending and strengthen the NATO alliance.

"The government as a whole has agreed to the NATO decision that over the longer term we should dedicate 2% of gross domestic product to defense spending," Reuters cited her as saying.