In his initial interaction with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) since becoming the NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte voiced serious concerns about the security situation in Europe.

Addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, and the Parliament’s delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Rutte cautioned that Europe is neither in a state of war nor at peace.

He pointed out a range of threats, including hostility from nations such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, alongside ongoing issues like terrorism, nuclear proliferation, disinformation, and climate change. Rutte stressed the importance of improving Europe’s defense capabilities to protect its way of life.

"We know how to defend our peoples and the European way of life," he asserted. "Now we just have to do it." He advocated for increased defense spending, enhanced resilience, and continued support for Ukraine.

Rutte argued that a more robust European defense requires not only greater spending but also more effective resource allocation and increased production of essential military assets.

"NATO’s current two percent defense spending target is far from sufficient," he stated. "To remain secure, NATO allies will need to spend significantly more." The NATO Secretary General highlighted the significance of the European defense industry, commending its achievements while acknowledging its inadequacies relative to current demands.

"The European defense industry is doing truly impressive work, but the truth is that we are not where we need to be," he commented.

Rutte also linked Europe’s future security to the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, warning that if Russian President Vladimir Putin prevails, lasting peace will be jeopardized. "We want enduring peace there. If Putin succeeds, peace will be short-lived," he noted. He emphasized the vital role of EU support for Ukraine, adding, "We are safe now, but we might not be in five years."

MEPs raised concerns about the EU’s role in NATO and broader defense collaboration. They pointed out that defense encompasses more than military issues, including international relations, as well as social, economic, and diplomatic efforts.

There were also concerns about future cooperation with the incoming Trump administration in the United States and Turkey’s role within NATO.

MEPs noted divisions among NATO allies regarding defense matters but stressed the need for unity to secure sustainable peace in Ukraine. They also highlighted the fragile security conditions in the Mediterranean and Western Balkans.

The discussion addressed the need to prevent redundancy in military production and to speed up the development of advanced weapons systems.

Several MEPs called for more focus on tackling hybrid threats, particularly on Europe’s eastern border and in the Western Balkans.

Rutte’s engagement with MEPs underscored the complex relationship between NATO and the EU in tackling shared security threats, as both bodies navigate an increasingly unstable global landscape.