The NATO chief said the alliance needs “more UK and more Europe,” adding that European allies must provide the military strength needed to respond to modern threats.
“It is essential that your armed forces continue to provide the hard power NATO needs,” The Guardian quoted Rutte.
He reiterated the need for allies to fulfill their new defense spending commitments. For Britain, that means moving toward NATO’s goal of spending 3.5% of GPD on defense by 2035.
The Guardian estimated that reaching that level would require London to spend about GBP30 billion ($39 billion) more in real terms. Britain currently plans to increase its defense budget to only 2.7% of GDP by the end of the next decade.
Rutte discussed Britain’s NATO commitments with Prime Minister Andy Burnham during their meeting in Oxfordshire. The NATO chief did not disclose details of the talks.
His remarks came amid heightened security threats in Europe
and recent incidents near NATO’s eastern flank.