NATO chief to EU: Invest in defense or get ready for Russian language courses

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged European Union member states to boost spending on defense if they don’t want to take “Russian language courses.”

During a European Parliament committee meeting on Jan. 13, he stressed that the 27 EU members must invest more in defense expenditures. 

Rutte said that to ensure security in the coming years, NATO allies will need to spend significantly more than the current 2 percent of gross domestic product, or total economic output, on defense. 

In 2014, NATO member states agreed to increase defense spending to the 2-percent threshold. 

“Spending more on defense means spending less on other priorities,” he said, noting that this decision will determine the future of both the Alliance and the EU.

Rutte stated that, while Europe is safe now, it would not be in 4 to 5 years.

“So if you don’t do it [increase defense spending], get out your Russian language courses or go to New Zealand,” Rutte said, half-jokingly. 

He expressed serious concern about the security situation in Europe, stating, “we are not at war, but we are not at peace either.”

Rutte stressed the need for greater investment in defense, defense production, and process efficiency to protect “our people and our way of life.” He also called on allies to strengthen the resilience of their societies and critical infrastructure.

While several countries are expected to meet the 2 percent defense spending target in 2024, Rutte emphasized that this is still insufficient.

Separately, UWC President Paul Grod in December urged Northern European countries to increase their support for Ukraine to 1 percent of their GDP.