Rutte Calls For NATO To Change Mindset And Increase Defense Budget To Face Challenges

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (Wikimedia Commons Lauri Heikkinen,valtioneuvoston kanslia) 2

JAKARTA - Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte called for a change in the mindset of alliance member countries and an increase in the defense budget, while assessing they were not ready to face future challenges, citing Russia and China.

NATO Secretary-General on Thursday warned that its leadership alliance is not yet ready to face the threats they will face from Russia in the coming years.

Rutte said future spending should be much higher than the alliance's current target of 2 percent of the national assets measured by gross domestic product (GDP).

"Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation with Ukraine and with us," Rutte said in a speech in Brussels, Belgium.

"We are not ready to face what will happen in the next four to five years," continued Rutte.

"It's time to turn to wartime mindsets, and increase our defense production and defense spending," he said.

The alliance estimates 23 of its 32 members will meet the target of 2 percent this year.

"During the Cold War, Europeans spent more than 3 percent of their GDP on defense. We will need more than 2 percent," he explained.

It is known that NATO members are facing renewed pressure with US President-elect Donald Trump asking allies to spend 3 percent of GDP on defense.

Rutte said the alliance should increase defense production, calling on governments to "stop creating barriers between each other and between industry, banks and pension funds".

"There is money on the table, and the number will continue to grow. So, dare to innovate and take risks," he said in a message to the defense industry.

On the other hand, Rutte warned of China's ambitions, saying Beijing was substantially building its strength "without transparency and without restrictions".

The NATO chief also warned of "coordinated campaigns to destabilize our society" including cyberattacks and assassination attempts.