Rutte: Two percent of GDP for defense is no longer enough

(Patria) - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte yesterday called on NATO member states to spend more on defense than the current target of two percent of GDP, set ten years ago, assessing that it is now too little due to new challenges.

Rutte stated this in Lisbon after a meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who reiterated the promise that his country will reach the target of two percent of GDP by 2029.

In 2023, Portugal spent 1.5 percent of GDP on NATO commitments.

- We know that the target of two percent, set ten years ago, will not be enough to respond to the challenges of tomorrow. This means we now have to spend more on our defense - Rutte said.

Member states will discuss whether to increase the two percent target at the summit in The Hague this summer, under pressure from US President Donald Trump to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP, which no member currently meets.

Rutte reiterated Western accusations that Russia is trying to destabilize NATO member states through actions ranging from assassination attempts to cyber attacks and sabotage, while waging a brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Moscow denies allegations that it seeks to destabilize Western countries and claims that its military operations in Ukraine are aimed at strengthening its national security.