NATO Chief Urges Increased Defense Spending

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called on member countries to significantly increase their defense spending, warning that failure to do so could lead to dire consequences within four to five years. Speaking at the European Parliament, Rutte emphasized the urgency of rethinking defense budgets in light of ongoing threats from Russia, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine. He humorously suggested that countries not prepared to invest more in defense might as well start learning Russian or consider relocating to New Zealand. Currently, only 24 of the 32 NATO members meet the 2% GDP defense spending target, and discussions are underway to raise this benchmark to around 3.7% by 2030. Rutte's remarks echo concerns raised by former President Donald Trump, who has insisted on even higher spending levels, suggesting a target of 5%. The NATO chief's message underscores the need for Europe to bolster its military capabilities and resilience against potential threats.