NATO secretary general Mark Rutte warned Europe needed to commit to a “quantum leap” amid fears that Vladimir Putin could launch an attack against the defensive alliance
Maniac Russian despot Vladimir Putin could launch an attack against NATO by 2030 prompting a call for Europe to “build its own Golden Dome” defence system. NATO secretary general Mark Rutte on Monday urged Europe to drastically ramp up its spending on missile defence systems while Russia remains engaged in Ukraine.
The fresh appeal for united military might comes after US President Donald Trump unveiled an ambitious Golden Dome plan that would set taxpayers back more than half a trillion dollars, about a quarter of money spent by the US throughout the duration of the two-decade long operation in Iraq.
Mr Rutte said the Europe would need a “quantum leap” in building its defence systems with a warning that Putin is “speeding up, not slowing down” his militaristic ambitions.
Mr Rutte said Europe needed to be prepared to protect the continent from any attacks from Russia. He added: “The fact is, we need a quantum leap in our collective defence.
“The fact is, we must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defence plans in full. The fact is, danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends.”
He called for militaries to stock up with thousands of additional tanks and vehicles as well as building an arsenal of millions of artillery shells. He also hinted at a possible nightmare scenario where Putin manages to pull together allies in China, North Korea and Iran.
The NATO chief added Russia is capable of producing in three months what the whole of the organisation takes a year to do. According to The Sun, he said: “Wishful thinking will not keep us safe.
“We cannot dream away the danger. Hope is not a strategy. So NATO has to become a stronger, fairer and more lethal alliance.”
Mr Rutte now wants NATO members to commit to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2032 as well as an additional 1.5 per cent on broader security-related expenditure. It comes as NATO chiefs aim to keep Mr Trump content with allies after he demanded each commit to 5 per cent spending, far above the previous 2 per cent of GDP.
He added NATO members are expected to agree to the proposal when leaders from the 32 countries attend a meeting at The Hague between June 24 and 25. He said: “It will be a NATO-wide commitment and a defining moment for the alliance”
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth last week said allies were close to reaching an agreement about reaching the 5 per cent target. He said on Thursday, adding: “That combination constitutes a real commitment, and we think every country can step up.”
The return of Mr Trump to the White House sent shockwaves through Europe with some nations raising concerns the US was no longer a steadfast ally. Mr Rutte added: “Danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends. We must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defence plans in full.”