"the Dutchman has gone from embodying frugality to urging allies to invest more in defense Spain included. Rutte believes that the prediction that Spain can meet its targets by spending 2.1% of its gross domestic product (GDP), as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has suggested, is not realistic. He will soon see that he also needs to spend between 3.4% and 3.6%, says Rutte in an interview held Monday with EL PAIS in one of the Alliance's gleaming offices at its vast headquarters"
"And in a NATO that watches with caution and side-eye any movement coming from the United States, the Dutchman has left some astonished and drawn criticism for his very close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he uses a tone that some consider overly flattering. Such as when he called him daddy, praising him for pushing allies to commit to higher defense spending."
Mark Rutte left the Dutch premiership after 14 years to become NATO secretary general amid intensified Russian threats and global geopolitical upheaval. He shifted from a reputation for frugality to pressing allies to increase defense investment, arguing Spain cannot realistically meet targets at 2.1% of GDP and will likely need to spend between 3.4% and 3.6%. Rutte warns that even if a peace agreement ends the war launched by Vladimir Putin, Russia will remain a long-term threat. He maintains a close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump and credits Trump with pushing higher allied defense commitments.
Read at english.elpais.com
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