NATO leader Mark Rutte has called for a “quantum leap” in defense capabilities, advocating for a “400% increase” in air and missile defense to protect the alliance from Russia.
His remarks come as he urges NATO members to pledge increased defense spending at an important summit of the Western military alliance later this month.
“We see in Ukraine how Russia inflicts terror from above, so we must reinforce the shield that safeguards our skies,” the NATO secretary general stated during a speech at the Chatham House think tank in London.
To sustain credible deterrence and defense, NATO requires “a 400% increase in air and missile defense,” the former Dutch prime minister noted.
Mr. Rutte is advocating for NATO members to allocate 3.5% of GDP toward direct military spending by 2032, along with an additional 1.5% on broader security-related expenditures.
This proposal serves as a compromise aimed at appeasing US President Donald Trump, who has called for allies to spend five percent of their economic output on defense, up from the current commitment of two percent.
Mr. Rutte expressed his “expectation” that leaders will agree to the proposal at the summit of the 32-country alliance on June 24-25 in The Hague.
“This will be a NATO-wide commitment and a pivotal moment for the alliance,” he emphasized in his speech.
In response, Russia condemned Mr. Rutte’s comments prior to his address, criticizing NATO as “an instrument of aggression.”
NATO “is revealing itself as a tool of aggression and confrontation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated to reporters in Moscow.
Mr. Rutte delivered his speech after his meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, marking their second discussions at Downing Street since the Labour leader took office in July 2024.
This year, Mr. Starmer’s government pledged to boost defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, although a specific timeline for further increases has yet to be established.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will reach 2% this year.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth mentioned last week that the allies are nearing an agreement on the split 5% target.
“That combination signifies a genuine commitment, and we believe every country can step up,” he stated on Thursday.
‘Fairer, more lethal alliance’
NATO members have been working vigorously to enhance their defense capabilities since Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The prospect of Mr. Trump’s return to the White House in January—and uncertainties surrounding his dedication to European security—have heightened the urgency.
“Danger will not dissipate even when the war in Ukraine concludes,” Mr. Rutte said at Chatham House.
“We must have increased forces and capabilities to fully implement our defense plans.”
He noted that Russia currently produces the equivalent amount of ammunition in three months that “the entire NATO produces in a year.”
“Our armed forces also need thousands more armored vehicles and tanks, along with millions more artillery shells,” Mr. Rutte stated.
Last week, Britain unveiled plans to construct up to 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines and six munitions factories to bolster its defense in response to perceived threats from Russia.
Mr. Rutte cautioned that China is “modernizing and expanding its military at breakneck speed.”
“NATO must evolve into a stronger, fairer, and more lethal alliance,” he asserted.
He warned that if countries cannot commit to 5.0 percent for defense spending, “you might still have the National Health Service, or in other countries, their health systems, pension systems, etc., but you had better learn to speak Russian. I mean, that’s the consequence.”
