NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called for increased investment in funding, equipment, and political commitment from all 32 member nations to bolster the military alliance. This comes as the United States reduces its leading security role in Europe. Rutte emphasized the necessity of these efforts in his annual report, highlighting the importance of NATO in maintaining military advantage and ensuring freedom and prosperity.
The alliance has faced challenges since February when US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that America’s security priorities have shifted, prompting Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security and that of Ukraine. Rutte’s report, which was quietly posted on NATO’s website, contrasts with previous years when such reports were promoted through news conferences and press releases. NATO has not commented on the change in approach.
Rutte visited Washington for discussions with senior US officials, ahead of a summit involving US President Donald Trump and NATO leaders in the Netherlands. The summit is expected to establish new defense spending guidelines. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2023, NATO members agreed to allocate at least 2% of their GDP to military budgets. The report revealed that 22 allies met this target last year, while Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain did not.
The United States, while reducing its defense spending as a percentage of GDP from 3.68% a decade ago to 3.19% in 2024, still spends more in absolute terms than all other NATO members combined. Total NATO military spending last year was estimated at approximately $1.3 trillion (€1.1 trillion).
Despite the United States’ predominant role within NATO, Hegseth informed European and Canadian officials that Ukraine would not regain all its territory from Russia and would not be admitted to the alliance. Nonetheless, Rutte affirmed in the report that NATO support for Ukraine remained robust in 2024, even as there are uncertainties about the Trump administration’s commitment amid faltering ceasefire talks.
Looking ahead, NATO allies are reportedly united in their pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. This sentiment, while measured, underscores the alliance’s ongoing dedication to supporting Ukraine, reflecting a shift from the more emphatic stance of Rutte’s predecessor, Jens Stoltenberg, who emphasized Ukraine’s independence as a security interest.
