With NATO defence ministers gathering in Brussels on Thursday (15 February), the meeting is being overshadowed by former US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks Washington might not protect European allies who are not spending enough on defence from a potential Russian attack.

They also come ahead of the Munich Security Conference (16-18 February), the 'Davos of defence', where some of the world’s top security leaders meet to discuss crises and future threats.

We ask Alexandra Brzozowski, Euractiv’s Global Europe and Defence Editor: How seriously should we take Trump’s statements? And to what extent does his approach threaten the long-term stability of the alliance?