'Every country has to contribute at that level of 5% as recognition of nature of threat,' says US defense secretary
NATO defense ministers gathered on Thursday in Brussels to discuss capability targets, according to the alliance chief, Mark Rutte.
"Today is really key, because we will decide on the capability targets, and this is an important building block to decide on the money we're going to spend in the coming years on defense," Rutte said during his doorstep statement.
Hoping to agree on the capability targets, Rutte reiterated the need to be able to defend themselves by preparing for a possible war and to deter any attacks.
"We have to invest in our air defense systems. We have to invest in our long-range missiles. We have to invest in our maneuverable land formations and command and control systems. All of this has to happen," he added, signaling the need for "huge investments" across NATO.
Rutte also reaffirmed that he would put out his proposal on defense spending and the new plan during the press conference at the end of the meeting.
"What we will decide in The Hague, what we will spend on defense going forward. The new defense investment plan, of course, is rooted in what we need in terms of the hard capabilities. So that's why it's so important that today we decide on the capability targets. From there, you will assess the gaps we have," he explained.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also reiterated the need for every country to spend on defense.
"Every country has to contribute at that level of 5% as a recognition of the nature of the threat. It can't be about the flags that we love. It has to be about the formations that we have. It's that hard power that actually deters," Hegseth said.
Noting that peace can be achieved through strength and deterrence, he also underlined that the countries should not rely on the US.
