NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has demanded a “quantum leap” in European defense, calling for a 400% boost in missile defense and adoption of a 5% GDP military spending target to confront persistent threats from Russia and rising uncertainty about U.S. commitments.

Europe Must Arm Faster Amid U.S. Retrenchment

Speaking at Chatham House in London, Rutte emphasized that NATO must evolve into a “stronger, fairer and more lethal” alliance. “Wishful thinking will not keep us safe. Hope is not a strategy,” he declared, urging Europe to act decisively as U.S. support becomes less certain under President Trump.

Rutte echoed Trump’s long-demanded 5% GDP defense spending threshold—3.5% for direct military expenditures and 1.5% for infrastructure and enabling capabilities like logistics and medical support.

Air Defenses, Artillery, and Tanks in Focus

The NATO chief called for a dramatic ramp-up in procurement: thousands more armored vehicles, millions of artillery shells, and doubled support capabilities. He stressed the urgency of shoring up Europe’s eastern flank and developing resilient industrial capacity for sustained deterrence.

“Even when the war in Ukraine ends, danger will not disappear,” Rutte warned.

Trump Tension Casts Shadow on NATO Unity

Rutte’s call reflects growing anxiety in Europe over Trump’s rhetoric suggesting the U.S. might not honor NATO’s Article 5 commitments for underpaying allies. Trump’s past remarks inviting Russia to “do whatever the hell it wants” to those states stirred alarm in Brussels and Berlin.

Officials now face the dual challenge of preparing for a more isolated NATO role while convincing domestic audiences to back major defense spending hikes.