Europe will have to take more responsibility for its defense as the United States turns to other regions

AA / Bruxelles

Mark Rutte said on Friday that Europe will gradually have to take greater responsibility for its own defense as the United States shifts its strategic attention more towards the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking after a meeting of foreign ministers in Helsingborg, the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) said the Alliance was moving towards a “structured and gradual” adjustment, in which European allies and Canada would increase their share of defense commitments, while Washington would retain its central role in the Alliance’s deterrence architecture.

“Over time, what you will see is that the United States will turn more, in a structured and step-by-step way, to other regions of the world,” he said, emphasizing that this development does not call into question transatlantic ties.

Mark Rutte added that European allies should continue to increase their military spending and strengthen their defense capabilities in order to assume more responsibilities within the framework of NATO’s European security.

At the same time, he estimated that the United States would remain engaged in Europe, particularly through conventional and nuclear deterrence capabilities.

“Overall deterrence and defense in Europe must remain the same,” he said.

The NATO Secretary General also reaffirmed the Alliance’s commitment to collective defense under Article 5, calling the organization a defensive alliance focused on deterrence and military preparedness.

“The Allies’ commitment to Article 5 is unwavering. Our determination and ability to defend every ally is absolute. Anyone reckless enough to attack us would face a devastating response,” he said.

Mark Rutte also confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been invited to the next NATO summit in Ankara.

He also praised the Turkish defense industry, highlighting the growing role of Turkey within the Alliance.

“Türkiye, with more than 3,000 companies, is extremely important and also an excellent example of how to organize a defense industrial base,†he said.

Finally, referring to tensions in the Middle East, Mark Rutte indicated that several countries were coordinating their efforts to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, in particular through the deployment of maritime capabilities such as mine clearance means.

“It is important that countries come together around plans to ensure the strait remains open for transit,” he said.

“This is an ongoing discussion within this coalition, in which NATO is participating as an observer, but not leading,” he added.

*Translated from English by Serap Dogansoy