Mark Rutte, the new NATO chief, has warned the EU of the consequences of inadequate defense spending. In his first address to the European Parliament, he stated that if the spending is not increased, EU citizens may be forced to learn Russian in the coming years. “I am very concerned about the security situation in Europe” he said. “We have no war, but no peace either. This means we must invest more in defense and develop more capabilities. This cannot wait. We must strengthen the resilience of our societies and critical infrastructure.”
Rutte emphasized that the EU member states have invested heavily in social programs, such as pensions and healthcare, while defense spending has fallen behind the requirements. He suggested that it is possible to increase defense spending by redirecting a small portion of existing funds.
The NATO chief also called for the EU to allow investments from non-EU NATO member companies in the development of the defense industry, as current restrictions hinder innovation and the production of new technologies.
Rutte stated that NATO member states should aim to allocate up to 3.7% of their GDP to defense to meet the military demands. He emphasized the need for a strengthened transatlantic cooperation in the defense industry, as the security of Europe is inextricably linked with the support of the United States. He warned that it is an illusion to believe that Europe can maintain its defense without the support of the US.
The article also mentions the recent call by the incoming US president, Donald Trump, for NATO member states to increase their defense spending to 5% of their GDP, which many countries find unrealistic. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected the proposal, while German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius supports the need for increased spending.