05.06.2025 21:31
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte officially announced the goal of allocating 5% of allied countries' gross domestic product to defense spending, stating, "We all know that if we don't do this, we will need to spend the next few years learning Russian."
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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held a press conference following meetings with defense ministers of allied countries, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
"WE HAVE AGREED ON A SERIES OF AMBITIOUS 'NEW CAPABILITY TARGETS'" Rutte stated, "We have reached an agreement on a new and ambitious series of military capability targets, which is really very important. Because these targets detail exactly what capabilities NATO allies need to invest in over the coming years. These include air defense, fighter jets, tanks, drones, personnel, logistics, and much more. All of these are necessary to keep our deterrence and defense strong and to protect our 1 billion people," he said.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte "I WILL PROPOSE A GENERAL INVESTMENT PLAN THAT WILL REACH 5% OF GDP" Emphasizing that NATO allies will have to invest much more in defense, Rutte said, "We will need to agree on a new defense investment plan in The Hague. This plan will ensure that we have sufficient resources for deterrence and defense in a world that is becoming more dangerous."
Rutte added, "I will propose a general investment plan that will reach 5% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in total. Of this, 3.5% will be for basic defense expenditures. This rate is based on the costs determined by the ministers for the new capability targets. Additionally, 1.5% of GDP will be allocated to defense and security-related investments such as infrastructure and industry," he said.
"NATO WILL REMAIN A NUCLEAR ALLIANCE" Rutte emphasized that the defense ministers also discussed support for Ukraine, stating, "We also spoke with Minister Umerov and EU High Representative Kallas in the NATO-Ukraine Council. Umerov conveyed the challenges on the front. Russia continues its attacks on civilian targets, and Ukraine is pursuing a negotiated peace." Rutte noted that the regular meeting of the nuclear planning group was held today, stating, "As long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance."
DEFENSE SPENDING WILL INCREASE GRADUALLY NATO Secretary General Rutte announced that under the new consensus, NATO members will gradually increase their defense spending within annual targets. In response to a question on the subject, Rutte said, "Countries will commit to presenting annual plans that show the increase in spending each year. This will ultimately ensure that they step by step reach the 5% target, namely the 3.5% and 1.5% rates." Rutte also stated that the 5% target will apply to all NATO allies, including the United States.
DETAILS WILL BE DISCUSSED UNTIL THE HAGUE SUMMIT In response to a question about which items will be included in the 3.5% and 1.5% defense spending rates, Rutte said that details will be discussed among allies in the coming weeks. Rutte stated, "I will propose a 5% defense spending target to the allies. Of this, 3.5% will be allocated to defense expenditures, which you can compare to the previous 2% target. The remaining 1.5% will be allocated to defense and security-related issues such as military mobility, the development of defense industry infrastructure, and ensuring that society is well-prepared for a potential war situation."
"IF WE DON'T DO THIS, WE WILL NEED TO LEARN RUSSIAN" Rutte emphasized that he saw very broad support for the proposal in today's meeting and therefore believed they would definitely be successful, stating, "Because everyone understands the necessity of this. Look at the Russian threat. Look at China's military buildup. We live in a different and more dangerous world. The Chief of Staff of Germany said a few days ago that Russia could successfully attack NATO by 2029. Today we are safe, but if we do not take these steps, we will not be safe in the future. That is why we must do this. We all know that if we do not do this, we will be safe for the next few years. But we will have to spend those years learning Russian," he said.
"NOT BECAUSE TRUMP WANTED IT, BUT TO KEEP 1 BILLION PEOPLE SAFE" Rutte emphasized that this step was taken not because U.S. President Donald Trump requested it, but to keep one billion people safe, stating, "These are really very large investments. This is the case considering both the acquisition cost and maintenance, as well as the tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of new soldiers who will join the army. You have seen the discussions in Germany; these issues will likely be discussed tomorrow."
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