NATO chief urges higher defence spending, continued support for Ukraine ahead of summit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasised the urgent need for increased defence spending and reinforced industrial production, as the Alliance prepares for its upcoming summit in The Hague.

Speaking in Vilnius alongside leaders from the B9 and Nordic countries, Rutte highlighted growing security threats from Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, and stressed that NATO must act decisively to bolster its defences in the coming years, Caliber.Az reports, citing NATO.

With the Vilnius discussions serving as a precursor to the July summit, Rutte underscored the strategic importance of addressing both immediate and long-term challenges. “We know that the Russians are reconstituting themselves at a rapid pace. We know there is a Chinese build-up. We know that China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are working together,” he said.

“Russia remains a long-term threat to NATO, and it’s crucial that in The Hague, when it comes to spending and industrial production, we take the necessary decisions.”

He also reiterated NATO’s commitment to Ukraine, noting that Allied discussions continue to focus on ensuring the country has what it needs to continue defending itself against Russian aggression. “We will discuss Ukraine in The Hague, and also today—making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to stay in the fight, and to bring this terrible Russian war of aggression to an end—one that must be lasting and durable.”

Looking ahead to NATO’s strategic posture, Rutte acknowledged that the current 2% defence spending target, agreed in 2014, is no longer sufficient. “We can defend ourselves now against Russia, but we can't in three to five to seven years,” he warned, citing recent remarks by Germany’s Chief of Defence. “Clearly, we have to stand ready, so it will be considerably more than the 2% we were used to.”

Rutte also highlighted the importance of a broader understanding of defence-related investments, including military mobility, societal resilience and strengthening the defence industrial base across Allied nations.

Commenting on NATO’s future enlargement, Rutte reaffirmed the Alliance’s long-term commitment to Ukraine. “There is an irreversible path for Ukraine to come into NATO. Not with an end date, not as part of a peace settlement, but as a clear long-term commitment by all 32 Allies.” He cited ongoing initiatives such as NATO’s command presence in Wiesbaden and the JATEC centre in Poland as critical steps in building closer operational cooperation.

Rutte concluded by expressing his appreciation for Lithuania’s leadership in hosting the B9 and Nordic consultations, underscoring the importance of collective action at a pivotal moment for transatlantic security.

By Aghakazim Guliyev