Europe will have to increase its defense spending by up to 10% and reckon “acquisition of own nuclear capabilities”, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday before the European Union parliamentarians. The official stressed that the continent's security cannot be ensured without the support of the United States and called on European states to invest “billions and billions of euros” in defense.
Mark Rutte says that Europe cannot defend itself without the USA PHOTO: Archive
“Keep dreaming, if you think Europe can defend itself“said Rutte, pointing out that the transatlantic partnership remains essential. “Europe needs the United States and the United States, in turn, needs Europe“, he added, according to The Guardian.
The NATO chief acknowledged that Washington's priorities are changing, but insisted there will be “ever” a very strong American conventional presence on the European continent.
“Without Trump, 2% for defense? Never!”
Known for his close relationship with US President Donald Trump, whom he nicknamed “Daddy”, Mark Rutte again defended his connection with the White House leader on Monday and credited him with a decisive role in increasing military spending by allies.
“If anyone is doing good things, it's President Trump (…) I know I'm pissing off a lot of you again, but as I said in Davos, I think the 2% (of GDP for defense) achieved by all NATO countries at the end of 2025 would never, never, never have happened without Trump.”said Rutte.
He named Spain, Italy, Belgium and Canada among the states that, in his opinion, would not have increased their defense budgets without pressure from the US president.
At the same time, NATO's political chief said that the United States “appreciate very much” the allies' efforts, despite earlier statements by Donald Trump, who mocked the contribution of other countries to the war in Afghanistan, saying that the allies “they stayed a little behind, away from the front line“. Later, the American president came back and said that “America greatly appreciates all efforts in Afghanistan” and acknowledges the sacrifice of other countries.
Ukraine, Russia and the “very sensitive issue” of territories
In front of the MEPs, Mark Rutte also commented on the recent peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the United States and blocked again by Moscow's territorial claims on Donbas. He admitted there was a problem “very sensitive” with Russia and stressed that “only Ukraine can make a decision on a possible territorial compromise”.
On the other hand, Rutte rejected the idea that Washington would try to take advantage of its role as a potential guarantor of Ukraine's security to gain advantages in negotiations with NATO states on the topic of Greenland.
“A European alternative to NATO would make Putin happy”
The Secretary General of NATO also rejected the scenario of building a European alternative to the Alliance, without the participation of the United States. Such a variant “it would be complicated, and Russian President Vladimir Putin would be delighted (to see it)”Rutte warned, reaffirming that the future of European security remains tied to close cooperation with Washington.
