NATO Chief to Europe: Spend More on Defense or You'll Get a Call from a Very Nice Man in Washington

(Patria) - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says he is in talks with European countries not spending two percent of their budget on defense, warning they might receive a call from Donald Trump if they do not commit to such investments.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, Rutte said that 23 countries have pledged to spend two percent of their GDP on defense.

- But there are a few countries that are not spending two percent, and I am actively and intensely engaged with them to ensure they accelerate reaching those two percent.

I told them, if they don't respond to my phone calls, they might get calls from a very nice man in Washington – Rutte said, alluding to Trump, who has called on European countries to increase their defense spending.

Rutte added that America should support European security guarantees for Ukraine in a potential peace deal with the Kremlin.

- These 'strong security guarantees' do not necessarily mean soldiers on the ground, but we still need US support to ensure there is deterrence' – Rutte stated.

Rutte made these remarks as Trump insists on greater defense investment, and European leaders, including Rutte, strive to maintain unity within NATO in the face of threats from Russia.

Trump previously called on European allies to increase their defense budgets to five percent, instead of the current two percent.