What did the NATO Secretary General say?
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Europe will not be able to guarantee its own security in the foreseeable future without the support of the United States. Speaking on 26 January at a meeting with members of the European Parliament’s defence and foreign affairs committees, he stressed that believing Europe or the European Union could defend itself independently of the US is unrealistic.
Why does the US remain central to European security?
According to Rutte, the American nuclear umbrella remains “the main guarantee of our freedom.” He dismissed arguments about Europe’s ability to stand alone militarily and sarcastically wished “good luck” to those who believe security without US involvement is achievable.
How does Rutte view the US role within NATO?
Rutte emphasised that the United States is as invested in NATO as Canada and European allies. At the same time, he said it would be fair and reasonable for Europe and Canada to assume greater responsibility for their own defence. He added that there are already positive signs showing that this shift is under way.
What challenges does Europe face in acting independently?
The NATO chief argued that if Europe truly wants to operate independently, defence spending would need to rise not to 5% of GDP, as agreed by NATO members in June 2025, but to around 10%. He also pointed to the difficulty of expanding Europe’s nuclear capabilities, warning that losing the US nuclear umbrella would cost “billions and billions of euros.”
Why does Rutte oppose a single European army?
Rutte criticised proposals to establish a unified European army, arguing that creating such a force alongside national militaries would result in overlapping structures and added complexity. He suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin would welcome the emergence of a European army operating outside the NATO framework.
How did Germany respond?
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Europe is on the right track after agreeing to allocate 5% of GDP to defence. He noted that if these commitments are met, European countries would be capable of defending themselves using conventional forces. However, he acknowledged that nuclear deterrence remains a far more complex issue.
What is France’s position?
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot openly challenged Rutte’s remarks, stating that Europeans can and must take responsibility for their own security. He added that even the United States supports this approach, describing a stronger European role as a vital pillar of NATO.