Rutte praises UK role as NATO becomes more European

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has praised the United Kingdom’s role in the Alliance, its defence industry and its support for Ukraine during a two-day visit in which he argued that NATO must become more European while remaining transatlantic, according to NATO.

Rutte met Prime Minister Andy Burnham before the pair visited the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Didcot, where they met defence sector representatives, apprentices and staff.

During the visit, Rutte praised Britain’s defence industry, technology sector and universities, while thanking the UK for what NATO described as its role as a leading force within the Alliance. He also highlighted what he called the “societal dividend” from higher defence investment, arguing that increased spending can support jobs and economic growth as well as military capability. Later, delivering the annual lecture at the Ditchley Foundation in Oxfordshire, Rutte set out his argument for a larger European contribution to NATO.

He said: “To stay transatlantic, NATO is becoming more European. A NATO with Europe, and Canada, spending more, producing more, and doing more for their security. This is the idea of NATO 3.0.”

The comments place the UK within Rutte’s wider push for European allies and Canada to take on more of the burden for defence spending, industrial production and military capability while maintaining the Alliance’s relationship with the United States. Rutte also singled out Britain’s role in responding to Russian activity and supporting Ukraine.

He commended the UK for “leading, along with NATO Allies, the push back against Russia’s dangerous and reckless campaign against us. NATO will not be intimidated by Russia’s campaign of hostile actions… their actions will only lead us to do more for Ukraine.”

The Secretary General’s visit continued on Thursday with meetings with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting. He also spoke at an event hosted by the Atlantic Partnership before concluding the UK programme.