Nato chief: Spain is a ‘staunch ally’

Stoltenberg praised Spain for its role in Nato missions, including its "major role in building security in Afghanistan". He also mentioned that Spain will host one of the alliance's biggest exercises this year with an expected 25,000 troops.

Much of Stoltenberg's focus was on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as those in Syria and Iraq against extremist Islamic State fighters. Stoltenberg said at a news conference the previous day that Russia is still arming amid a ceasefire agreement and in Madrid called on all Nato parties to help monitor the withdrawal of troops.

"We cannot take our security for granted," he said. "Security is the basis of everything we have: our prosperity, our values, our open societies."

Stoltenberg's comments come at a time when Nato is pushing all members to increase military funding. The alliance's goal is that all members dedicate at least two percent of their GDP to defence spending.