NATO Leaders Urge Stronger Military Readiness
(MENAFN) At a key meeting on Monday involving NATO member nations from Eastern Europe and the Nordic region, along with the alliance’s top official, urgent calls were made for greater defense allocations and reinforced deterrence strategies.
These appeals come in response to increasing challenges posed by Russia, ahead of the upcoming NATO summit scheduled to take place in The Hague later this month.
During the Bucharest Nine (B9) and Nordic Countries Summit, held in Vilnius, Lithuania, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the prevailing security environment as “the most dangerous in decades.”
While noting that full-scale war has not erupted, he emphasized that peace is also elusive, necessitating a shift toward complete combat preparedness. He stated the need for “significantly more forces” that are “well-trained, well-equipped and supported with logistics, sustainment and ammunition.”
Rutte indicated that he anticipates NATO members will showcase a clear dedication to mutual defense by enhancing military manufacturing capacities and raising financial commitments to defense.
He reiterated NATO's unwavering backing of Ukraine, asserting that a resilient and independent Ukraine is vital for the safety of the Euro-Atlantic region.
When asked about the reliability of the United States’ ongoing military role in Europe, Rutte affirmed that Washington remains devoted to NATO and the principles outlined in Article 5, which ensures collective defense.
While acknowledging that U.S. interests extend to the Indo-Pacific, he reassured that a strong American footprint would be sustained across Europe.
Lithuanian Leader Gitanas Nauseda contributed to the discussion by revealing his nation’s ambitious defense spending plans, with 4 percent of GDP allocated for 2025 and projections of more than 5 percent annually between 2026 and 2030.
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