NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte issued a stark warning on Thursday, emphasising that the alliance is unprepared for the long-term challenges posed by Russia and other adversaries.
Speaking in Brussels, Rutte called for a shift to a “wartime mindset,” urging NATO members to dramatically increase defense spending beyond the current 2% of GDP target.
“Russia is preparing for long-term confrontation with Ukraine and with us,” Rutte stated, adding, “We are not ready for what is coming our way in four to five years.”
He stressed the need to “turbocharge” defense production and spending to address these challenges effectively, saying, “It is time to shift to a wartime mindset, and turbocharge our defence production and defence spending.”
While NATO estimates that 23 of its 32 members will meet the 2% GDP defence spending target this year, Rutte argued this level is insufficient.
Drawing comparisons to Cold War-era expenditures, he noted that European nations once spent more than 3% of their GDP on defense and suggested that similar or higher levels would be required in the future.
The call for increased spending aligns with renewed pressure from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has advocated for NATO allies to meet a 3% GDP target.
Rutte also urged NATO governments to dismantle bureaucratic barriers that hinder defense cooperation, urging them to foster stronger ties between industries, banks, and pension funds. He encouraged the defense sector to innovate and take risks, assuring them, “There is money on the table, and it will only increase. So dare to innovate and take risks”.
Beyond Russia, Rutte highlighted additional threats, including cyberattacks, assassination attempts, and a coordinated campaign to destabilise Western societies.
He also expressed concerns over China’s military expansion, which he described as lacking transparency and limitations.
Rutte’s speech serves as a call to action for NATO to bolster its defenses and prepare for a new era of geopolitical tensions.
Melissa Enoch
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