NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of unity during a recent speech at the Warsaw School of Economics, stating, “This is not the time to go it alone, not for Europe or America.” He underscored that current global security challenges are “too big to face on our own.”
He elaborated, declaring, “When it comes to keeping Europe and North America safe, there is no alternative to NATO.” His remarks, made in front of a captivated audience of professors, students, and analysts from Polish think tanks, highlight the significance of transatlantic security.
During his address, Mr. Rutte remarked, “Nothing can replace America’s nuclear umbrella, the ultimate guarantor of our security.” This sentiment reinforces the vital role the United States plays within the alliance.
Mr. Rutte expressed confidence in the U.S.’s commitment to NATO and Article 5 of the alliance’s treaty, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. He acknowledged the U.S.-led efforts toward achieving a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, praising President Trump for breaking the deadlock: “I am glad that President Trump broke the deadlock because we feel that it was necessary and positive that peace talks are being conducted now under his leadership.”
He emphasized the collective desire for “a durable and lasting peace” for Ukraine and reiterated that “Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin should never try again to attack Ukraine.” Mr. Rutte also highlighted the importance of European discussions on how to support ongoing peace efforts in Ukraine.
Addressing Russia’s aggressive demands for the war to end, including the withdraw of NATO multinational battalions from Eastern Europe, he asserted: “Putin can put whatever he wants on the table, but he has absolutely no say in how we organise ourselves within the 32-member alliance.” This strong stance reflects NATO’s commitment to collective defense.
In light of Russia’s latest advancements in missile technology, Mr. Rutte noted, “All NATO members are effectively on the alliance’s eastern flank,” further underscoring the need for vigilance. He stated that even post-conflict, “Russia will remain a significant and direct threat to our security.” He pointed out that President Putin has “not given up his condition to reshape the global security order,” and highlighted China’s expansion of its military and nuclear capabilities “with no limits or transparency.”
“Putin has to know that any attempt to encroach upon Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, or Portugal would be met with a devastating response, and that the full force of NATO will be upon him,” Mr. Rutte warned. His words serve as a stern reminder of NATO’s readiness to protect its members.
As he spoke to military alliance members, Mr. Rutte mentioned the increasing conversations among those spending less than 2% of GDP on defense, as they aim to meet this target by summer. Furthermore, he indicated that NATO members might need to raise their defense spending to over 3% of GDP, in light of evolving global threats—a significant point likely to be discussed during NATO’s annual summit in The Hague this June.
U.S. President Donald Trump has long urged NATO members to meet the 2% benchmark, even advocating for an increase to 5% before his return to office in January. Poland currently leads European NATO members with a commitment of 4.7% of GDP towards defense and security this year, while Estonia and Latvia also exceed 3%.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Rutte met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda, asserting during a joint press conference that NATO would respond with overwhelming force in the event of any Russian aggression against Poland or another ally.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
