Rutte Insists Europe Must Double Defense Spending to 10% Amid U.S. Greenland Tensions
Updated (4 articles)
Rutte declares U.S. backing essential for European security In speeches to the European Parliament and EU lawmakers, NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte warned that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States’ nuclear umbrella and conventional forces, emphasizing mutual dependence on American power[1][2].
Ten‑percent GDP target linked to independent nuclear capability Rutte argued that a self‑reliant Europe would need to raise defense outlays to roughly 10 % of gross domestic product and develop its own nuclear arsenal, a plan he said would cost “billions and billions of euros”[1][3].
Five‑percent baseline remains NATO’s official goal NATO members reaffirmed a 5 % of GDP defense spending target by 2035 at the 2024 Hague summit, a figure Rutte described as a baseline that cannot fund the nuclear ambitions he envisions[1][2].
Trump’s Greenland push fuels alliance friction Former President Donald Trump revived claims to sovereignty over Greenland, prompting a “rollercoaster week” of diplomatic activity and prompting Rutte to label the dispute a distraction from core security challenges such as Russia’s war in Ukraine[3][4].
Divergent views on European autonomy emerge Finnish President Alexander Stubb publicly rejected Rutte’s dependence narrative, while France continued to champion “strategic autonomy” for Europe, highlighting a split among NATO leaders over the continent’s future defense posture[1][2].
Sources (4 articles)
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[1]
Newsweek: NATO Secretary‑General Rutte Says Europe Needs U.S. Military Backing: Rutte warns Europe cannot defend itself without the United States, calls for 10 % GDP spending and a European nuclear force, and notes Finnish President Stubb’s opposition.
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[2]
AP: NATO’s Rutte Says Europe Needs U.S. Military Backing: Rutte repeats the U.S. dependence argument, details the 5 % GDP target from the Hague summit, and describes Trump’s Greenland annexation threats and France’s push for strategic autonomy.
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[3]
CNN: NATO chief warns Europe it cannot defend itself without the United States: Rutte’s “keep on dreaming” remark, the 10 % GDP and nuclear force requirement, and the Greenland episode’s impact on Arctic security are highlighted.
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[4]
Newsweek: NATO chief says allies would defend Article 5: Rutte affirms Article 5 commitment, frames Greenland as a NATO unity test, and stresses U.S. leadership as indispensable amid Russian and Chinese Arctic activity.
Timeline
July 2024 – At the NATO summit in The Hague, all European allies except Spain (together with Canada) pledge to reach a collective defence‑spending target of 5 % of GDP by 2035, allocating 3.5 % to core defence and 1.5 % to security‑related infrastructure, establishing the baseline for later burden‑sharing debates. [4]
Jan 21, 2026 – Speaking on a World Economic Forum panel in Davos, NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte asserts that NATO allies would invoke Article 5 to defend the United States, citing past unity after attacks and stressing that the pact hinges on mutual defence. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – Rutte warns that the emerging Greenland dispute could divert NATO’s attention from its core challenge – Russia’s war in Ukraine – as the four‑year anniversary of the invasion approaches in February. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – President Donald Trump, at a White House briefing, claims he has secured commitments from allies to move toward the 5 %‑of‑GDP defence target, framing the push as “fair treatment” for the United States’ security burden. [3]
Jan 21, 2026 – Trump is slated to address the Davos audience later that day, underscoring the high‑profile clash of Arctic and NATO issues. [3]
Jan 26, 2026 – In a European Parliament address in Brussels, Rutte tells Europe to “keep on dreaming” about self‑reliance, arguing that without the U.S. nuclear umbrella the continent cannot defend itself and would need to raise defence spending to 10 % of GDP and develop its own nuclear force, costing “billions and billions of euros.” [1][4]
Jan 26, 2026 – Rutte praises former President Trump for highlighting Arctic security concerns, noting that melting sea lanes attract increasing Chinese and Russian activity, and outlines two NATO Arctic work streams while remaining outside the U.S.–Denmark–Greenland trilateral talks. [1]
Jan 26, 2026 – Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen describes the Washington meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “constructive” but notes a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland, reflecting ongoing diplomatic tension. [1]
Jan 27, 2026 – Rutte repeats his warning to the European Parliament that Europe cannot defend itself without U.S. military backing, reiterating the 10 %‑of‑GDP spending call and labeling the U.S. nuclear arsenal the “ultimate guarantor of freedom.” [2]
Jan 27, 2026 – Finnish President Alexander Stubb, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, directly contradicts Rutte by asserting that Europe can unequivocally defend itself, highlighting a split among NATO leaders on strategic autonomy. [2]
Feb 2026 (upcoming) – NATO members prepare to mark the four‑year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a milestone Rutte warns could be eclipsed by the Greenland dispute if alliance focus drifts. [3]