Rutte Urges NATO to Raise Defense Spending Above 2% Target

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged alliance members to exceed the current defense spending target of 2% of GDP, established a decade ago, citing inadequacies in addressing escalating threats from Russia. Speaking in Lisbon, Rutte emphasized that increased defense investments are necessary for the future security of NATO, and highlighted Portugal's commitment to reach the 2% target by 2029, although they currently spend only 1.5%. The call for higher spending aligns with former President Donald Trump's suggestion for NATO countries to aim for a 5% GDP defense expenditure, a proposal considered unrealistic by some European analysts. Rutte warned that failing to ramp up spending could lead to much greater costs down the line, estimating potential expenditures could rise into the trillions if deterrence needs to be restored post-conflict. The conversation around defense spending has intensified following Russia's actions in Ukraine, prompting discussions within NATO about potentially raising the spending target to 3%. Analysts highlight that while some nations are making strides towards meeting the 2% goal, achieving a 5% target raises political challenges, especially for countries that do not view Russia as a direct threat.