NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Turkey’s defense industry, with more than 3,000 companies, is providing essential capabilities for the Alliance’s deterrence and defense. Speaking after the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Brussels, Rutte warned of real and persistent threats, citing Russian attacks on Ukraine, violations of allied airspace, cyber operations and surveillance of undersea infrastructure.
Rutte noted that ministers discussed a roadmap toward the pledge made at the Hague Summit to spend 5% of GDP on defense, including major investments in air and missile defense. He welcomed new commitments from Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Poland for Ukraine under the Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), with total pledges surpassing $4 billion.
Addressing Vladimir Putin, Rutte said allies are strengthening support for Kyiv and increasing pressure on Moscow, including measures targeting Russia’s shadow fleet.
On Europe’s debate over conscription, Rutte stressed that rising Russian defense spending requires both increased troop levels and stronger industrial output: “Turkey’s defense industrial base is already delivering what is needed for deterrence and defense,” he said.
Rutte also expressed support for U.S.-led efforts toward “a just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, while emphasizing that military aid must continue until negotiations progress. He confirmed that NATO-related issues will be handled separately if they become part of future peace talks.
He added that allies broadly agree Ukraine must emerge with firm security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression.
