NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on June 9 called for a 400 percent increase in air and missile defense capabilities to protect the transatlantic alliance from threats posed by Russia.
“In Ukraine, we see how Russia uses terror from the air, so we will strengthen the shield that protects our skies,” Rutte said during a speech at the Chatham House institute in London, according to a statement published by AFP.
“NATO needs a 400 percent increase in air and missile defense capacities to maintain credible deterrence and protection,” he added.
“The fact is, we need a significant increase in our collective defense,” he emphasized.
Rutte is scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, marking their second meeting at Downing Street since the Labour leader came to power in July 2024.
Rutte’s comments come ahead of the NATO summit to be held later this month in the Netherlands.
However, Moscow immediately condemned his statements, calling NATO an “instrument of aggression.”
“NATO is positioning itself as an instrument of aggression and confrontation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said to journalists in Moscow.
U.S. President Donald Trump is exerting pressure on NATO member countries to significantly increase their military budgets. He is demanding defense spending reach five percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up from the current two percent target.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated last week in Brussels that allies are close to agreeing on the new five percent target, which is expected to be formalized at the Hague summit.
“We believe that within a few weeks this alliance will commit to five percent, of which 3.5 percent will go towards heavy armaments and 1.5 percent for infrastructure and defensive activities,” Hegseth said on Thursday. “This is a real commitment and we believe every country can increase its contribution.”
NATO member states have been working to increase their defense capacities since Russia’s war against Ukraine began in February 2022.
“The threat will not disappear even after the war in Ukraine ends,” Rutte emphasized on June 9.
“We need more troops and capabilities to fully implement our defense plans. Our militaries also need thousands of armored vehicles and tanks, as well as millions of artillery shells,” he stressed.
Last week, the UK announced plans to build up to 12 nuclear submarines and six factories to produce ammunition and shells in response to what it calls the threat from Russia.
Earlier this year, Starmer’s government promised to raise defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027 but has not yet set a clear timeline for further increases.
“NATO must become a stronger, fairer, and more lethal alliance,” Rutte concluded.
