NATO chief: Europe cannot defend itself without the United States

BRUSSELS, Jan 26 (KUNA) -- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States.
In a speech delivered before the European Parliament, Rutte stressed that "anyone who thinks that the European Union or Europe as a whole can defend itself without the United States is living in a delusion," adding, "You cannot. Keep on dreaming".
He explained that European countries, if they wish to build a defence force independent from the United States, would have to double defence spending from the 5 percent of GDP target approved by NATO last year to around 10 percent.
Rutte added, "You would lose the ultimate guarantor of our freedom, which is the US nuclear umbrella. So, good luck," noting that such a scenario would serve the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, "Putin would love it. So think again".
The NATO chief confirmed that the United States' commitment to Article Five of the Alliance's Charter, on collective defence, remains "total," noting that Washington expects European countries to continue increasing their military spending.
He said, "The United States needs a secure Euro-Atlantic space, and it also needs a secure Europe, therefore it has every interest in NATO's continuation".
Rutte renewed his praise for US President Donald Trump for pressuring European allies to raise defence spending levels, considering that this has contributed to strengthening the Alliance's capabilities.
He also ruled out the idea of establishing a European defense force to replace US troops on the continent, an idea recently floated by EU Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius, saying that "this would make things more complicated".
Regarding Greenland, Rutte said that he had agreed with US President Donald Trump that NATO should "take more responsibility for the defense of the Arctic region," pointing out that any negotiations over the US presence on the island remain the responsibility of the Greenlandic and Danish authorities.
Rutte stressed that he has no mandate to negotiate on behalf of Denmark, adding, "I did not do that, and I will not". (end) arn.ibi