Window for faster – in relation to the so far announced – EU re -equipment time (with double shifts and more war factories) left indirectly (12.3.25), his Secretary General NATO, Mark Rutte During a press conference he gave with the Italian Prime Minister, Melon.
And this is because Rutte (NATO) -For a day before cuts in health and pensions In order to finance the EU war machine- he said that by 2028- and not 2030 or 2032- the EU may not be safe (against Russia).
It is noted that on the basis of the Rutte’s so far, the target of increasing NATO member states to 5% of their GDP (agreed at last week’s defense ministers) has not been determined – on a time – finally.
The original reference was made to 2032, while some NATO member states were pushing for 2030.
The time -reaching of 5% is related to the time of the necessary preparation of European NATO member states against Russia’s estimated risk of attacking a NATO member country.
In this respect, Route’s note for 2028 (as a milestone of Russia’s possible attack in the EU) is of great importance and not in 2030 or even 2030.
This is because if adopted as a landmark in 2028, there should be a forward -looking increase in defense spending at the levels offered by the NATO defense ministers’ meeting.
More specifically, Rutte said that “We heard the German defense leader say a few days ago that by 2029, by 2030 Russia could be ready to try something against NATO territory. So we’re safe now. We are not sure in three to five years from now, so we have to spend more. Fortunately, it’s not just 2014 when we did this, “we thought a number and then we agreed on the number”.
He himself stressed that “The new expenditure target is really based on facts, a in -depth study that we have done collectively about where there are gaps in our abilities, how to fill them. And the Ministers of Defense agreed to it last (Thursday, June 5, 2025). And now it is up to leaders to agree on the additional costs needed to make it possible. “
It is also worth noting the following reference to the NATO Secretary General, according to which “expenditure is one thing, but we also need, and this is the second big issue, defense industrial production. And we don’t produce enough. And that keeps me awake in the evenings, ensuring that not only will we increase costs, but also defense industrial production. As you know, when a country now orders a Patriot system, it will be delivered in 10 years. So the question is, “In the morning or afternoon?” Why does it matter? Because in the afternoon, the F-35 will arrive. This is now the situation. So we have fantastic industrial companies in the US, all over Europe and Canada, but they do not produce speeds. So we need more shifts, more production lines. We do not need to see an increase in prices. And I was really impressed by the UK’s defense revision, which was published, I think last Friday or at the beginning of this week. He basically said they want to build six new ammunition factories. And that’s what we need all over Europe, because we don’t produce and especially ammunition is critical. “
The third point, which Rutte was affected, was specifically for Ukraine. “Because we need to ensure that Ukraine is in the best possible position to maintain, maintain the ongoing conflict with Russia, after the unexpected Russian aggression against Ukraine, but also to find it in the best possible position when a long -term ceasefire is resulted in. And all these issues were discussed today. Really, I think this is very important. And this is essentially a great preparation for the Hague summit at the beginning of next week on the G7, the week after the NATO summit. And there will also be an EU summit that week. “