Post by : Badri Ariffin

Brussels: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated on Monday that Europe’s ability to defend itself is heavily dependent on U.S. military support. He highlighted that European nations must significantly increase their defense budgets to operate independently.

“Those who believe Europe can stand alone in defense without the U.S. are deluding themselves,” Rutte cautioned to EU legislators in Brussels. He emphasized the interdependence between Europe and the United States.

The remarks from Rutte follow rising tensions within NATO, particularly regarding past statements by U.S. President Donald Trump concerning Greenland—a semi-autonomous region of Denmark. Trump had also proposed imposing tariffs on Greenland’s European neighbors but eventually withdrew this idea after negotiating a deal with Rutte, though specifics of the agreement remain scant.

According to Article 5 of NATO’s foundational charter, all 32 member nations are obligated to defend any ally facing an attack.

During NATO’s July summit in The Hague, European nations, excluding Spain, expressed their commitment to fulfilling Trump’s requirement of aligning their defense expenditures with U.S. levels. They committed to 3.5% of GDP for core defense and 1.5% on security infrastructure by 2035, totalling 5% of GDP.

Rutte remarked, “To undertake this independently, 5% won’t suffice. You’d require 10% and your own nuclear assets, which would be a massive financial undertaking.”

France has been advocating for Europe’s “strategic autonomy,” gaining traction following calls from the Trump administration for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its security.

Rutte warned that without U.S. assistance, Europe risks losing “the ultimate guarantor of our freedom—the U.S. nuclear umbrella. So, good luck with that!”

#Global News