NATO chief stresses need for greater defence investment

Mark Rutte urges allies to boost military spending amid global threats.
Text: Óscar Ontañón Docal
Published 2025-06-25

The latest news on the United States and Spain. With military tensions on the rise, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking ahead of the alliance summit in The Hague, reaffirmed that increased defence spending remains a top priority.


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"Given our long-term threat of Russia, but also the massive build-up of the military in China, and the fact that North Korea, China and Iran are supporting the war effort in Ukraine, it's really important we spend more. So that will be number one on the agenda today."

The proposed increase responds to long-standing demands from President Donald Trump and rising security fears in Europe. While all allies have formally agreed to the plan, Spain has voiced its reluctance, arguing that lower investment still meets NATO obligations.

Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte gives a presser during the EU Summit, at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on March 22, 2024

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