NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed confidence in the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague, saying it would be a turning point for the Alliance and a demonstration of its collective strength. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) in Antalya, Rutte emphasized Türkiye’s critical role in shaping NATO’s defense posture and its contributions to the alliance’s strategic readiness.

“I am confident that the NATO Summit in The Hague will be a leap forward and a major success,” Rutte said. “It will show, with the support of Türkiye and President Erdoğan, that NATO is united, ready to defend itself, and committed to collective security worldwide.”

Rutte was in Antalya to attend the informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers. During his remarks, he underscored the importance of Türkiye’s growing defense industry, stating that it is essential for NATO’s operational capabilities. He pointed out that while Russia, with only a fraction of NATO’s economic strength, has managed to accelerate its defense production, NATO must also ramp up its industrial output.

“We need Türkiye’s defense industry,” Rutte stated. “We hope to see its production grow even further. That’s good for the Turkish economy, and it’s good for NATO.”

Rutte noted that other key defense manufacturers within NATO — including Rheinmetall in Germany, Leonardo in Italy, and Lockheed Martin in the United States — must also expand their production capacity. He highlighted Türkiye as a model for other member states.

Addressing NATO’s call for increased defense spending, Rutte refrained from citing specific figures but stressed the importance of ongoing discussions within the Alliance. “We continue to encourage all member states to raise their defense budgets,” he said. “The Russian threat remains long-term, and we’re also watching China’s rapid military development with concern.”

On infrastructure and readiness, Rutte added: “We must ensure that our railroads and highways — the ones we use for our nice cars — can also carry our tanks when necessary.”

“The Summit Will Be a Success”

Looking ahead to the June 24–26 summit in The Hague, Rutte said that discussions will continue in the coming weeks, particularly regarding budget allocations for space and other emerging domains. “My impression is that all allies acknowledge the current reality,” he said. “I’m confident that the summit will be a breakthrough, signaling NATO’s strength and determination, again with Türkiye’s support.”

He remained optimistic about rising defense budgets across member states, although he declined to confirm any agreed targets.

When asked about reports suggesting European countries are preparing their citizens for 72-hour emergencies, Rutte described such discussions as a reflection of a changed global environment. “After the fall of the Berlin Wall, many believed we had entered a more peaceful world, leading to reduced defense spending,” he said. “That assumption was incorrect. Russia remains a threat, China is advancing its military, and terrorism still exists. Citizens need to be more aware and resilient in the event of crises.”

He dismissed accusations of fearmongering. “I don’t see it as warmongering. It’s a realistic approach to a threat that clearly exists. And the Russians know any attack would provoke a devastating response,” Rutte stated. “It’s simply responsible to recognize the era we’re in.”

“We Never Promised Ukraine NATO Membership”

Commenting on NATO’s expansion and future membership, Rutte reiterated that countries such as Ukraine have the right to express their intent to join. However, any decision on membership lies with all 32 current NATO members, including Türkiye.

Reflecting on past discussions, he said, “At the Washington Summit, we reiterated that Ukraine’s path to NATO is irreversible. But we never made a formal promise to Ukraine — or anyone else — as part of any peace agreement that they would become a member. That simply didn’t happen.”

Rutte emphasized the need to separate Ukraine’s NATO aspirations from efforts to secure a lasting peace. “These are two different tracks,” he said. “If other countries in Europe seek NATO membership in the future, it will be up to Türkiye and the rest of the alliance to decide.”