On Monday afternoon, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) discussed the security situation in Europe and beyond, as well as defence and EU-NATO cooperation, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In his first public discussion with MEPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, and the Parliament’s delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly since he took office, Rutte expressed his deep concern about the security landscape in Europe.
The Secretary General noted that “We are not at war, but we are not at peace either,“ highlighting challenges from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, as well as ongoing threats posed by terrorism, nuclear proliferation, disinformation, and climate change.
He emphasised the necessity to invest more in defence capabilities to enhance resilience and continue supporting Ukraine. “We know how to protect our peoples and the European way of life (…), now we just have to do it,“ he said, arguing that a stronger European defence requires increased spending, improved spending efficiency, and greater production. He clarified that this effort is not meant to provoke war but to prevent it.
“NATO’s current two percent defence spending target is not nearly enough (…) to stay safe, NATO allies will have to spend considerably more. This also includes ramping up the production of crucial assets and capabilities,” NATO’s Secretary General noted. While the European defence industry is performing impressively, “the truth is that we are not where we need to be.”
Regarding Ukraine, the NATO Secretary General stressed that Europe’s future depends on the outcome of the war. “We want lasting peace there. If Putin gets it his way, peace will not last,“ he stated, adding that EU support for Ukraine is vital: “We are safe now, but we might not be safe in five years.”
MEPs questioned Mr Rutte about the EU’s contributions. They emphasised that defence extends beyond the military to international, social, economic, and diplomatic relations. MEPs also inquired about future collaboration with the incoming Trump administration and expressed concerns regarding Turkey’s role in NATO.
Some MEPs acknowledged the differences among NATO allies concerning defence issues but stressed that maintaining unity is crucial for achieving sustainable peace in Ukraine. They also pointed out the challenging security situation in the Mediterranean region and the Western Balkans.
In terms of enhancing the military industry, MEPs asked about preventing duplication in military production and accelerating the development of new weapons. Several MEPs raised concerns about addressing hybrid threats, particularly along Europe’s eastern flank and Western Balkans.
