Rutte said future spending would have to be much higher than the current alliance target of 2% of national wealth as measured by gross domestic product (GDP).
“Russia is preparing for long-term confrontation, with Ukraine and with us,” Rutte said in a speech in Brussels.
“During the Cold War, Europeans spent far more than 3% of their GDP on defense,” Rutte said.
NATO members are grappling with renewed pressure from US President-elect Donald Trump, who has called for America’s allies to spend 3% of GDP on defense.
So dare to innovate and take risks.”The NATO chief also warned of a “coordinated campaign to destabilize our societies” including cyberattacks and assassination attempts.
Persons:
Mark Rutte, Rutte, ” Rutte, Donald Trump, ”
Organizations:
Belgium Reuters, NATO, “
Locations:
Brussels, Belgium, Russia, Ukraine, “, Dutch, Beijing