NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called on member nations to adopt a “wartime mindset” and increase defense expenditures to counter escalating threats from Russia.
In his first major address since assuming office in October, Rutte emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are not ready for what is coming our way in four to five years.”
Rutte highlighted that, despite progress in defense investments, current spending levels remain insufficient compared to the Cold War era. He noted, “During the Cold War, Europeans spent far more than 3 percent of their GDP on defense.” Presently, many NATO members allocate around 2 percent or less.
The Secretary General also acknowledged former U.S. President Donald Trump’s role in advocating for increased defense budgets, stating, “Donald Trump was completely right when in his first term he forced us to spend more.” He credited Trump’s efforts for the current upward trend in NATO’s defense spending.
Rutte warned that Russia is preparing for a prolonged confrontation, with its defense spending projected to reach a third of its state budget by 2025—the highest level since the Cold War. He cautioned that if NATO does not act now, “we will pay a much, much, much higher price later to fight it.”
In a related development, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, attending a European Council meeting in Brussels, urged European nations to enhance their defense and security commitments. He advocated for sustained military support for Ukraine and proposed an ambitious UK-EU defense and security partnership to address shared threats.
These calls for increased defense spending come amid heightened concerns over Russia’s military activities and the need for NATO allies to strengthen their collective security posture.