Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Brussels: NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated on Monday that Europe is unable to defend itself without support from the United States. He highlighted that European nations would need to significantly increase their defense budgets to achieve autonomy in security.
“If anyone thinks Europe can defend itself without the U.S., keep dreaming. You can’t,” Rutte remarked to EU lawmakers in Brussels. He emphasized the interdependence between Europe and the United States.
Rutte's comments are set against a backdrop of tension within NATO, particularly following U.S. President Donald Trump's previous threats concerning Greenland, a semi-autonomous region of Denmark. Trump also hinted at imposing new tariffs on European allies of Greenland but later retracted the proposal after a framework deal was established with Rutte's assistance. Details about this agreement remain sparse.
The 32-member NATO alliance operates under Article 5 of its founding treaty, which obligates members to defend any ally that comes under attack.
During NATO's July summit in The Hague, European members, aside from Spain, agreed to meet Trump's requirement for equalizing defense expenditure with the U.S. They committed to allocating 3.5% of GDP for core defense and 1.5% for security infrastructure by 2035—a combined total of 5% of GDP.
Rutte stated, “If you want to go it alone, 5% is not enough. You will need 10% and your own nuclear capability, which costs billions.”
France has been advocating for Europe's “strategic autonomy,” garnering support following suggestions from the Trump administration that Europe must take charge of its own security.
Rutte concluded that without U.S. involvement, Europe would forfeit “the ultimate guarantor of our freedom, the U.S. nuclear umbrella. So, hey, good luck!”
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