Nato Must Embrace Wartime Readiness, Says Secretary General
Nato’s Secretary General Mark Rutte has called for the alliance to adopt a “wartime mindset,” warning that member nations are not adequately prepared for potential future conflicts, particularly with Russia.
Speaking in Brussels, Rutte painted a stark picture of the current security environment, describing it as the most perilous he has experienced in his lifetime. He emphasized that Moscow is gearing up for prolonged confrontation with both Ukraine and the West.
“We are not ready for what is coming in the next four to five years,” Rutte cautioned during his first major address since taking on the role in October. He urged Nato countries to dramatically increase their defense spending, saying it was time to “turbocharge” investments in military readiness.
Concerns Over Defense Spending
Nato members have pledged to allocate at least 2% of their GDP to defense by 2024. However, Rutte argued that even this commitment falls short of what is necessary to address the growing threats. He pointed out that during the Cold War, European nations routinely spent upwards of 3% of GDP on their military budgets.
“If we don’t invest more now to prevent conflict, the cost of fighting one later will be immeasurably higher,” he warned.
Russia, Rutte said, is already positioning its economy on a “war footing.” By 2025, Russian defense spending is expected to reach a third of its national budget, marking the highest level since the Cold War. Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has significantly ramped up its military expenditures, with record budgets approved for the coming years.
Trump’s Influence and Rutte’s Strategy
Rutte’s comments come at a pivotal time, with President-elect Donald Trump poised to return to the White House. Trump, during his previous term, criticized Nato members for not meeting their defense spending obligations, famously threatening that the U.S. might “go its own way” if other countries failed to contribute more.
In a BBC interview, Rutte acknowledged Trump’s role in pressuring allies to boost their defense budgets. “Donald Trump was absolutely right,” Rutte said. “He was successful in getting us to spend more. Defense budgets have risen significantly since his first term.”
This pragmatic relationship with Trump has earned Rutte the nickname “The Trump Whisperer” among Nato insiders. His ability to navigate Trump’s demands in 2018 was a key factor in his selection as Nato’s leader.
Urging Public Support
Rutte also appealed directly to citizens across Nato nations, asking them to push their governments to prioritize defense spending. He acknowledged that voters often focus on issues like rising living costs, healthcare, and migration, but stressed the long-term importance of military investment.
“My message is to the one billion people living in Nato territories,” Rutte said. “If you care about your children, your grandchildren, and the preservation of our democratic way of life, we need to act now. Call your politicians. Tell them you support prioritizing defense, even if it means sacrifices in other areas.”
With Russian forces advancing in Ukraine and seizing significantly more territory in 2024 than in the previous year, Rutte’s warning is clear: the threat is real, and the time to prepare is now.
