Mark Rutte: No evidence Russia intends to attack a NATO member
Speaking in Tallinn, Rutte praised Estonia’s 5% defence spending and said his country will provide 0.28% of GDP for military aid to Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in Tallinn that he does not see an immediate threat to alliance territory and that there is no evidence Russia intends to attack any NATO member.
During his visit, Rutte praised Estonia for allocating five percent of its gross domestic product to defence and for its support to Ukraine, saying the country sets a standard for other NATO members. He added that Russian hybrid attacks will not intimidate the allies.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Mihal said that Ukraine's membership in NATO would represent the strongest long-term security guarantee for Estonia.
Aid, industry and maritime security
Rutte announced that his country will allocate 0.28 percent of GDP for military assistance to Ukraine this year, down from 0.35 percent last year. He also noted that Ukraine's accession to NATO is not currently on the alliance's agenda, citing opposition from some members, including the United States.
The PURL initiative aims to provide American weaponry to Ukraine, including air-defence systems. Rutte said European states are trying to strengthen their own defence industries, while security concerns in the Baltic Sea and the Øresund Strait underscore the importance of protecting maritime routes.
Photo: press material from the event
