NATO chief Rutte highlights Türkiye’s vital role in Euro-Atlantic defense, urges stronger unity

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte urged for greater transatlantic unity Wednesday, warning that neither Europe nor the U.S. can tackle global security threats alone.

He highlighted NATO’s irreplaceable role in defending the Euro-Atlantic area, emphasizing the critical contributions of countries such as the U.S., UK, Türkiye, Canada, Norway, and Iceland.

“It is impossible to imagine the defense of Europe without them. And nothing can replace America’s nuclear umbrella — the ultimate guarantor of our security,” Rutte said.

While acknowledging tensions within the alliance, including disagreements over trade and discussions on European strategic autonomy, Rutte emphasized that complex challenges demand collective strength.

“There are difficult debates between Europe and America over trade and tariffs, and there are calls to revive ideas of European autonomy,” he said during a speech at the Warsaw School of Economics.

“Let me be absolutely clear: this is not the time to go it alone, not for Europe or North America. The global security challenges are too great for any of us to face on our own.”

Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, Rutte warned, presents continued uncertainty about how it will end.

‘Russia will remain direct threat’

“However it ends, Russia will remain the most significant and direct threat to our security,” he said.

Rutte reaffirmed the importance of U.S. engagement but stressed that European allies must also step up.

“Europe needs to know that Uncle Sam still has our back,” he said. “But America also needs to know that its NATO allies will step up and play their full part without restrictions and without capability gaps. It’s only fair. Reassurance is a two-way street.”

He also highlighted NATO’s strategies, capabilities, and coordination, saying the alliance is well-equipped to defend member states and support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

‘We will make NATO stronger’

“Together in NATO, Europe and North America are unbeatable today and in the future,” Rutte said, concluding with a strong message of confidence in the alliance’s direction.

“Be assured, the transatlantic bond is strong. And yes, we will make NATO a stronger, fairer, and more lethal alliance. That is how we all stay safe in a more dangerous world,” he added.

Rutte noted priorities for an upcoming NATO summit in The Hague in July, where he said the alliance will need to do “even more” to ensure all members share the burden, with ambitious new targets for strengthening capabilities, readiness, and deterrence, including air and missile defense, long-range missiles, and additional ground forces.

“This will enable Europeans to take on a greater share of our collective defense, while maintaining strong American commitment and presence in Europe,” he said.

Rutte stressed that NATO’s collective defense includes all member states, warning Russia that any attack would trigger a devastating response.

“It is important to realize this, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has to know that if he tries to take a square kilometer of Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, or of Spain, Portugal for that matter, our reaction will be devastating. The full might of NATO will be upon him,” Rutte said.