Nato Nations Warned Defence Spending Must Rise to Five Per Cent

Mark Rutte, the secretary-general of Nato, has issued a stark warning to member states, urging them to increase their defence spending to five per cent of GDP to counter the growing military threat posed by Russia. Speaking at a Chatham House event, Rutte emphasised that the alliance is now effectively positioned on an “eastern flank,” highlighting advances in Russian missile technology that enable strikes on targets in western nations within minutes.

Rutte pointed to a significant shift in the Russian economy, which he claimed has been reoriented towards military production with support from China. This, he argued, has allowed Russia to produce more ammunition in three months than Nato nations collectively manufacture in a year. The secretary-general projected that without urgent increases in defence spending, Russia could pose a credible threat to Nato territories within three to five years, irrespective of the outcome of the ongoing war in Ukraine. “We see in Ukraine how Russia delivers terror from above,” Rutte said, urging Nato members to strengthen their air and missile defence systems with increased investment.

During his address, Rutte expressed support for proposals to raise Nato’s core defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP while allocating an additional 1.5 per cent to infrastructure. He underscored the crucial importance of reaching a five per cent target, stating bluntly, “You could still have the National Health Service or pension systems, but without this investment, you had better learn to speak Russian.” He described the responsibility of politicians as being upfront about the costs of self-defence, adding that countries such as the UK must make decisive choices to maintain their security.

Rutte refrained from publicly stating a specific deadline for the five per cent target, as member states are still engaged in discussions on the timescale. However, he urged urgency, warning that any hesitation could jeopardise the alliance’s ability to counteract future aggression from the Kremlin. The upcoming Nato summit in The Hague is expected to finalise new spending commitments that include these targets.

The UK has pledged to raise its defence budget from 2.33 per cent of GDP to 2.5 per cent by 2027, with further plans to hit the three per cent mark in the 2030s. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged that additional increases may be necessary, stating that discussions about the UK’s exact contribution are ongoing in the lead-up to the summit.

As geopolitical threats intensify, Rutte concluded his address by reiterating the need for Nato states to act decisively. “Russia’s pivot towards militarisation is a long-term strategy,” he explained. “Failure to meet these targets risks leaving Nato unprepared for the challenges ahead.”