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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the Alliance’s key priority is to deliver on its defense commitments, arguing that this is what Russia fears most.
Speaking at the Atlantic Council, Rutte said NATO leaders had already agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, continue supporting Ukraine, and expand defense production, UATV English reports.
“This summit is about implementation, staying the course, and the fact that last year we spent almost 20% more is already proof that this is happening. Now we have to make sure we have a credible path to 5%, and I see that this is absolutely happening, especially when it comes to defense,” he said.
Rutte stressed that NATO’s objective is to demonstrate to Moscow that the Alliance is prepared to defend itself.
“The most important thing is that Moscow understands: ‘We can fight you today, and if you make any foolish move against us, we will be ready to defend ourselves,'” he said.
According to Rutte, the recent NATO summit was a major success because allies were able to make significant commitments.
“But it is important to deliver on those commitments, and that is what must happen in Ankara. That is even more important. In the end, Putin is not afraid of commitments — he is afraid of their implementation. And that is exactly what we are doing. We will defend ourselves,” the NATO chief said.
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