NATO Secretary General Compares Defense Spending by Russia and Alliance Countries

Russia's defense spending is more rational and justified than that of NATO countries. This was stated by Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance Mark Rutte on January 13, speaking at the European Parliament in Brussels.

As Rutte pointed out, Russia has produced more weapons in three months than all NATO countries have produced in a year.

"Don't forget, comparing Russian figures, that (in Russia - Ed.) you can buy with the same money much more, because they don't have our high salaries, our bureaucracy, they can act faster, they actually <...> have switched industry to military rails," RIA Novosti quoted him as saying.

Rutte also noted that spending in the amount of 2% of GDP for the countries of the bloc is insufficient, he called for an increase in defense spending to 8-10%. He said cuts in social spending, such as on pensions, health care and social benefits for citizens, are needed to form the necessary budget.

"We need some of this money to make defense more powerful. I am counting on you," Rutte emphasized.

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Earlier, on January 10, Reuters learned about NATO's disapproval of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's plan to increase the alliance's spending. At the same time, a number of officials, whose names are not mentioned, although they do not support the initiative of the American politician, but in general are in favor of increasing defense spending.

On December 20, 2024, the Financial Times reported that the new US president will require NATO member states to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, and also plans to continue providing military aid to Ukraine.