NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday described “NATO 3.0” as a vision for “a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO”, stressing that the transatlantic alliance remains based on cooperation with the United States, while asking European allies to take more responsibility for their conventional defense, reports Anadolu.

After the meeting of the Bucharest Nine (B9), Rutte said that Russia remains the “biggest and most direct threat” to the alliance because of its war in Ukraine.

“We cannot lower our vigilance. We will always do what is necessary to protect every inch of NATO territory,” he said, emphasizing the strengthening of deterrence and defense measures along NATO’s eastern flank and in the High North.

Rutte said the alliance must now further increase military capabilities, defense production and spending ahead of this year’s NATO summit in Ankara.

Explaining the concept of “NATO 3.0,” Rutte said the model envisions “a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO,” with the U.S. continuing to provide nuclear and conventional support while European members take more responsibility for conventional defense.

Rutte again praised U.S. President Donald Trump for pushing allies to increase defense spending, calling last year’s NATO summit in The Hague “one of the US president’s greatest foreign policy successes”.

He noted that some NATO countries are already planning to exceed the 5 percent target by 2035.

Speaking of concerns over tensions between Washington and some European allies over US and Israeli attacks on On Iran, Rutte acknowledged “disappointment in the United States” over the reactions of some allies, but said European countries “got the message.”

“We are really working together on this,” he said, citing cooperation to secure the Strait of Hormuz, including demining operations and the pre-deployment of military assets.

Turning to the Russia-Ukraine war, he stressed the need for continued military support for Ukraine while waiting for meaningful peace negotiations.

“I have to say that the ball is clearly in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s court. He has to play. He is not doing it yet… he has to be willing to really engage in peace negotiations,” Rutte said.

Source: prizrenpost