NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Europe will not be able to defend itself without the help of the US. According to him, the American nuclear umbrella is "the main guarantor of our freedom," writes DW.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated on Monday, January 26, at a meeting with members of the European Parliament's committees on defense and foreign affairs, that Europe will not be able to defend itself without the help of the United States in the foreseeable future.
"If anyone here thinks that the European Union or Europe as a whole can defend itself without the US, keep dreaming. That won't happen," Rutte was quoted by AFP. In this regard, he called the US nuclear umbrella "the main guarantor of our freedom" and wished "good luck" to those who do not share his position.
At the same time, Rutte noted that "the US is as interested in NATO as Canada and European NATO allies." "It would be fair and reasonable for Europe and Canada to take on more responsibility for their own security. The good news is that they are doing so," the NATO Secretary General stated.
Rutte Against the Creation of a Unified European Army
According to Rutte, if Europe really wants to "act independently," then defense spending in each country should increase not to 5% of GDP, as agreed by NATO participants in June 2025, but to 10%. Another problem the NATO Secretary General pointed out was the buildup of European nuclear capabilities: losing the "American umbrella" would cost "billions and billions of euros."
Rutte also criticized the idea of creating a unified European army. The emergence of such a union in addition to national armed forces would create "many duplicative structures," which would "complicate the situation." In Rutte's opinion, Russian President Vladimir Putin "would be pleased" if a unified army outside of NATO were established in Europe.
Rutte's Statements Were Countered by the Foreign Ministers of Germany and France
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Europe is "on the right track" as it has decided to allocate 5% of GDP for defense. "If we do this, we will certainly be able to defend ourselves by conventional means," the minister said at a press conference with Swedish colleague Maria Malmer Stenergard in Stockholm.
At the same time, Wadephul acknowledged that the buildup of nuclear capabilities is "indeed a more complex issue." In this regard, the minister urged Europe to "strive for greater independence" while also "always ensuring that the defense alliance with the US remains active."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also commented on the NATO Secretary General's statements. "No, dear Mark Rutte. Europeans can and must take responsibility for their own security. Even the United States agrees with this. This is the European pillar of NATO," he wrote on his social media page X.
