In his first appearance as NATO Secretary-General before the European Parliament, Mark Rutte delivered a stark warning: Europe must radically increase defense spending or risk its security crumbling within years. Speaking to lawmakers on Monday, the former Dutch prime minister outlined an ambitious—and controversial—vision for boosting transatlantic defense capabilities in the face of mounting global threats.
A New Era of Defense Spending
Rutte wasted no time addressing the elephant in the room: NATO’s spending targets. For years, NATO has urged member states to spend at least 2 percent of their GDP on defense, a goal now met by 24 of its 32 members. But U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has upped the ante, calling on allies to spend a staggering 5 percent of GDP on defense—a figure well above even America’s 3.38 percent.
While Rutte didn’t endorse Trump’s ambitious target, he warned that Europe must aim for at least 3.6 or 3.7 percent of GDP, particularly if countries fail to streamline weapons procurement and foster innovation. “Even with better cooperation, defense budgets will exceed 2 percent,” Rutte cautioned.
Europe’s Security: ‘Safe Now, But Not in Five Years’
The urgency of Rutte’s message stems from a rapidly evolving security landscape. “We are safe now, but not in four or five years,” he declared, citing Russia’s ongoing destabilization campaign, rising cyber threats, and challenges posed by Iran and China.
If Europe fails to act, he quipped grimly, “get out your Russian language courses or go to New Zealand.”
Closer NATO-EU Cooperation
Rutte also emphasized the importance of closer ties between NATO and the EU, institutions that have historically maintained an arms-length relationship. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed that dynamic, with the EU creating its first defense commissioner and a dedicated defense committee in the European Parliament.
Rutte supported this shift but warned against the EU overstepping its bounds. “NATO is strong on issues like setting standards for artillery ammunition, but the EU’s internal market will be crucial in boosting military production,” he said, urging the two institutions to focus on complementary roles.
Boosting Europe’s Defense Industry
A critical component of Rutte’s vision is revitalizing Europe’s fragmented defense industry. Applauding the EU’s €1.5 billion European Defense Industry Programme (EDIP), Rutte called for greater integration of non-EU allies into Europe’s military production.
“Transatlantic defense industrial cooperation makes us all stronger,” he said, dismissing the idea of excluding allies from EDIP as counterproductive.
Ukraine: More Weapons, Faster
Turning to the war in Ukraine, Rutte doubled down on NATO’s commitment to helping Kyiv. “Peace can only come from a deal that serves Kyiv’s interests,” he said, stressing the need for more weapons delivered at greater speed. “This is not just about Ukraine—it’s about Europe and the world.”
The Clock is Ticking
Rutte’s blunt message underscores the precarious state of European defense. With threats multiplying and tensions rising, the Secretary-General’s push for higher spending and deeper cooperation could define the next decade of NATO and EU relations.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. As Rutte put it: “This cannot wait. We need to boost the resilience of our societies and critical infrastructure now.”