North Atlantic defense leader heard promises from the Prime Minister, but said that “it’s not enough”
Nato’s secretary-general came to Portugal with serious alerts, but the prime minister wanted to anticipate and decided to reinforce promises and also launch his warnings, “in particular to the United States.”
“We can tell our partners, in particular to the United States, that the European Union Member States already invest more than 2% of their product in defense,” said the head of the Portuguese government, stressing that all countries that are part of the Block and NATO already fulfill this goal.
“I do not exempt a responsibility on the behalf of Portugal to do it as soon as possible and to redefine our goals. But we must also act as a block and have to act as a block in the execution of policies and investments to be more efficient, ”said the prime minister of one of eight countries that do not meet the minimums required of 2%
The statements appear days after the US President of the United States (USA), Donald Trump, advocated the increase to 5% of the investment of NATO countries in defense, in which no one approaches – Poland is the country that spends the most , with 4.12%.
“I mean, on behalf of the Portuguese Government, that we are available to further anticipate our calendar for investment in this area. The government is finalizing its work with a view to making the project of reinforcing our capacity more attractive and feasible, namely our productive and industrial capacity. But we are aware that in Europe we are not alone, nor should we be alone and so we will have to conform to this path with the prospects of the Atlantic Alliance, but also with the perspectives of the European Union, ”he said.
Retrieving in July last year, the date when the NATO summit in Washington DC took place, the Portuguese Prime Minister recalled that he pledged, before all allies, in anticipating from 2030 to 2029 Portugal’s commitment to reach the 2 % of GDP in expense directed to the defense sector.
“It means for Portugal a great financial effort in anticipation in a year. It requires an acceleration of a trajectory that, unfortunately, in recent years it has been the result not always being able to achieve the one that was the goal, ”he said.
Rutte leaves several warnings to Portugal
The promises from Montenegro were not enough for Mark Rutte, who quickly stressed that the goal of 2% of GDP, established more than a decade, is no longer adequate compared to current challenges. He who has already admitted to defending a spending of around 3%, almost double the 1.55% spent in 2024 by Portugal, in a goal that is only fulfilled by five countries.
“I welcome Portugal’s commitment to increase investment, but the goal of 2% is not enough for our challenges,” he said, indicating that the investment in defense should be more robust, considering the geopolitical threats that the NATO faces.
Rutte’s warnings, which was next to the Portuguese Prime Minister, did not stay for the investment in defense.
The former chief executive of the Netherlands did not fail to warn of the growing Russian threat, especially in relation to the Portuguese coast, which, according to his own, “is in the eyes of Russia.” “Russian ships and bombers matter to the Portuguese coast, which is in the eyes of Russia,” he said.
Rutte has not yet stressed the importance of Portugal in maintaining continuous effort to strengthen his defense capabilities, noting that the challenges to national security require more than a simple compliance with budget goals. “We are strong today, but to stay strong we have to make an effort by increasing our defense investments,” Rutte said.
Still in the Portuguese capital he took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of NATO to remain united and determined in the defense of Ukraine, stating that it is “inevitable” that the Atlantic alliance will continue to support the country at war with Russia, appealing to member countries to redouble Efforts to combat Russian aggression and reinforce their defenses, a clear message that current challenges require stronger and faster answers.
“All allies have to get up to the moment we are facing. We have to continue to contribute to a strong transatlantic alliance, ”he argued, shortly after warning that we could all end up if we did not meet certain parameters.
Mark Rutte’s visit to Lisbon was an opportunity to reinforce the importance of the NATO unit and is part of the contacts that the Atlantic Alliance Secretary-General promotes with the Member States, namely to begin the preparation of the NATO summit that will have place in The Hague.
