NATO Records Record Defense Spending, NATO Secretary General Praises Trump Administration

JAKARTA - Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte on Thursday released the alliance's 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a historic increase in defense spending by European and Canadian allies, praising the role of the Government of the United States under President Donald Trump.

Secretary-General Rutte described 2025 as a "year of events," marked by a rapidly changing security environment.

He identified Russia as the "most significant and immediate threat" to Euro-Atlantic security, citing airspace violations, sabotage, cyberattacks, political interference, and disinformation campaigns.

"The picture of the threat throughout 2025 makes it clear that more needs to be done. And throughout the year, NATO continues to unite to ensure that we are ready and able to respond to any threat, in all domains, both now and in the future," he said, launching Anadolu (27/3).

Regarding Ukraine, Secretary General Rutte emphasized the continued support of NATO and allied countries.

"Important equipment to Ukraine continues to flow, and that is important, because we have to do everything," said Secretary-General Rutte.

The report also showed significant progress in defense investment.

For the first time, all NATO allies met the 2 percent defense spending target set in 2014, with Europe and Canada collectively increasing spending by 20% compared to 2024.

Rutte's secretary-general noted a shift in mindset among European allies: "For too long, European allies and Canada have relied too much on US military power. We are not sufficiently responsible for our own security. But there has been a real shift in mindset."

He also highlighted the contribution of the Trump administration.

"I don't believe that without the current American administration, all of NATO will reach 2 percent by the end of 2025. Some countries with large economies such as Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Canada are still far from the 2 percent figure. They all reach 2 percent and this brings billions of euros and dollars to spend on defense," said the NATO Secretary-General.

Regarding Iran, Secretary General Rutte reiterated NATO's long-standing position against Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons, highlighting the threat posed by Iran's missile program, and supporting US efforts to reduce those capabilities.

"The US cannot consult with allies because they want to keep the campaign secret. With good reason to ensure that no one knows what happened on Saturday morning," he explained.

"There is always a risk, if you tell too many people, that information may leak. But it also has a weakness because it takes time for Europe to organize itself," said the NATO Secretary-General.

On that occasion, he also praised the leadership of Europe, especially the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands, for coordinating international efforts to keep the sea lanes open.