Brussels: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States during a speech to the European Parliament. Rutte emphasized that believing the European Union or Europe could independently defend itself without U.S. support is unrealistic.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Rutte highlighted that for Europe to establish a defense force independent of the United States, it would necessitate doubling defense spending from NATO's current target of 5 percent of GDP to approximately 10 percent. He cautioned that without the U.S. nuclear umbrella, Europe would lose a crucial guarantor of its freedom, a situation that would benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Rutte reiterated that the United States remains fully committed to Article Five of NATO's Charter, which focuses on collective defense. He also conveyed that the U.S. expects European nations to continue increasing their military expenditures. Rutte noted that the U.S. requires a secure Euro-Atlantic area and a stable Europe, which aligns with maintaining NATO's presence.
The NATO chief acknowledged U.S. President Donald Trump for urging European allies to boost their defense budgets, a move he believes has fortified the Alliance's capabilities. He dismissed the proposal of forming a European defense force to substitute U.S. troops, an idea recently suggested by EU Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius, arguing it would complicate matters.
Regarding Greenland, Rutte mentioned his agreement with President Trump on NATO assuming more responsibility for Arctic defense, while clarifying that negotiations about the U.S. presence are under the jurisdiction of Greenlandic and Danish authorities. He affirmed his lack of authority to negotiate on Denmark's behalf, stating that he neither has done so nor intends to.