NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned about the risks of creating a separate European army. He urged allies to increase military assistance to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Germany has announced it will stop supplying Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems.
NATO Secretary General Urges Allies to Arm Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Ukraine’s reduced ability to intercept Russian missiles is due to a shortage of air defense interceptors. He made the remarks on January 26 at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence in Brussels.
Rutte also warned that Ukraine is facing its toughest winter in a decade. He urged the EU to be more flexible in weapons procurement, including purchases from the United States, noting that Europe alone cannot supply the arms needed to deter Russia.
Germany to Halt Air Defense Supplies to Ukraine
Germany will no longer provide Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced this during a briefing in Berlin. He said Germany has already transferred one third of its air defense capabilities to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion and cannot provide more, as it must retain systems for its own security. Pistorius called on allies to step up weapons and air defense deliveries to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s NATO Membership and a Separate European Army
Rutte also addressed Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO. He noted that there is currently no political consensus on the issue, as several member states oppose Ukraine’s accession. Last year, the United States, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia were against Ukraine joining the Alliance.
Commenting on proposals to create a separate European army, Rutte warned that such a move could weaken Europe’s security and make it more vulnerable to Russia. According to him, forming autonomous EU forces would lead to duplication of structures and shortages of personnel.
“I wish you luck if you want to do it, because you have to find the men and women in uniform (…) “It will make things more complicated. I think Putin will love it. So think again,” Rutte said.
Why the EU Cannot Replace NATO, According to Rutte
The NATO Secretary General stressed that the Alliance remains the cornerstone of collective defense, responsible for standards, command, control, and military capabilities. The EU, he said, should focus on strengthening the defense industry, financing, resilience, and regulatory policy.
Rutte added that creating a separate European army would be also expensive. He emphasized that the European Union would not be able to deter Russia without the United States.
“You have to build up your own nuclear capability – that costs billions and billions of euros. You will lose then, in that scenario … the ultimate guarantor of our freedom, which is the US nuclear umbrella. So hey, good luck,” Rutte said.
According to him, the only way to ensure Europe’s security is through close cooperation between the EU and NATO. Building parallel structures would ultimately fail.
