NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has pushed back against former US President Donald Trump. He took aim at comments suggesting member nations would not defend one another.

On Saturday, Trump claimed at a rally in South Carolina that he once said he "would encourage" Russians "to do whatever the hell they want" to "delinquent" states.

At a news conference in Brussels on Wednesday, Stoltenberg said, "It is so important that we, both in actions but also in words, communicate clearly that we stand by NATO's commitment to protect and defend all allies."

Stoltenberg and defense ministers from across NATO are reviewing their finances, and members are ramping up spending to record levels.

NATO leaders agreed 10 years ago to commit 2 percent of their gross domestic product to defense spending. Stoltenberg said 18 of 31 members will meet that target this year.

Germany has met it for the first time since the early 1990s. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said, "I don't believe in heated debates at the wrong time. And I certainly don't believe in paying attention to every quote from the US election campaign from someone who wants to become a nominee."

The ministers are also taking part in meetings to revisit their support for Ukraine.