On Remembrance Day, the Secretary General paid tribute to members of the armed forces who lost their lives in the line of duty and thanked those who serve today across the Alliance. He highlighted the value of working together to preserve peace and prevent war.
The Secretary General underscored the importance of maritime security for trade, energy supplies, and vital communications. He described the North Atlantic as “the bridge that connects the two continents in our Alliance,” pointing out the need to “maintain our presence and strength across the ocean.”
Mr. Rutte also emphasized the significant increase in defense spending by European Allies and Canada, who are expected to invest more than $250 billion extra in core defense in 2025 and 2026 combined. He welcomed the UK’s announced commitment to reach 3 percent of GDP in defense spending by 2030, adding that this represents “a credible path to 3.5% in GDP in core defense spending by 2035.” He noted that Allies are stepping up to “make the whole Alliance stronger and more secure,” adding that “these investments are helping develop and deliver the capabilities we need for deterrence and defense, and they are ultimately helping NATO maintain our combat readiness and increase our warfighting edge.”
The Secretary General also highlighted the ongoing support delivered by NATO Allies to Ukraine, which is crucial as Russia continues attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and pursues a campaign of hostile actions across Europe.
During the visit, Mr. Rutte also met Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
