NATO Chief Rutte: “Keep on Dreaming” If You Think Europe Could Defend Itself Without the US — As It Happened



In a forceful statement that has reverberated through diplomatic circles, NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte told European lawmakers that Europe simply cannot defend itself without the United States, and that anyone who believes otherwise should “keep on dreaming.” His remarks came during a high‑profile hearing in the European Parliament in Brussels, amidst ongoing debates about defence spending, strategic autonomy, and NATO’s future — particularly as geopolitical tensions persist with Russia and China.

The comments — among the most candid publicly made by a sitting NATO chief — underscore the alliance’s deep interdependence and the challenges faced by European states seeking greater defence self‑sufficiency. Analysts and political leaders responded swiftly, revealing sharp divisions over Europe’s strategic goals and the role of the United States in ensuring collective security.

---

Rutte’s Message: NATO’s Foundation and Future

Addressing members of the European Parliament’s security and defence committees, Rutte said there is a fundamental miscalculation among some policymakers who believe the European Union or the continent as a whole could defend itself independently of the United States.

> “If anyone thinks here … that the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the US, keep on dreaming. You can’t,” Rutte said in Brussels. “We need each other.”

He laid out three core reasons why this remains the case:

Scale and cost of defence: Rutte argued that even ambitious defence‑spending targets agreed last year — around 5 % of GDP on defence by 2035 — would be insufficient for true self‑reliance, and that doubling that spend to roughly 10 % of GDP would be needed to build a credible independent defence capability.

Nuclear umbrella reliance: Europe currently relies on the U.S. nuclear deterrent for its ultimate security guarantee, something Rutte said would be lost if Washington fully withdrew its role, leaving Europe exposed.

Shared strategic interests: Beyond defending Europe, Rutte stressed that the United States also has a vested interest in a secure Euro‑Atlantic region, including the Arctic and Atlantic maritime approaches.

These arguments reflect a long‑standing U.S.–Europe security partnership based on NATO’s Article 5 mutual defence clause, which commits allies to collective defence if one is attacked.

---

What Prompted the Remarks? Internal and External Pressures

Rutte’s intervention comes at a moment of strain and reflection within NATO, triggered in part by recent diplomatic tensions involving the United States. In the past weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy by floating proposals concerning Greenland, a semi‑autonomous territory of Denmark and a strategic Arctic location. Although those proposals were later softened following talks with Rutte, they reignited debates about American commitment to European security.

At the same time, officials like France’s foreign minister Jean‑Noël Barrot have publicly argued that Europe must develop its own defence capabilities, including tools for “strategic autonomy” that do not rely solely on Washington. Barrot and others believe Europe should take responsibility for its own security in light of what they see as shifting U.S. priorities.

These competing visions — closer reliance on the United States versus autonomous European defence — have animated public debate, with Rutte firmly placing himself in the camp that sees collaboration as essential.

---

Why True Autonomy Is Costly and Complex

Europe’s push toward independent defence is not a new idea, but Rutte highlighted the immense financial and technical barriers to achieving it. Building a truly self‑sufficient military posture, he argued, would require:

A substantially higher defence budget — far beyond the current NATO target of 5 % of GDP.

A nuclear deterrent with the capacity to replace the U.S. extended nuclear umbrella — something only a few European states currently possess.

Greater production of advanced weapons systems, surveillance technology, and integrated command and control infrastructure.

Rutte made clear that without these elements, Europe would remain structurally reliant on U.S. military power, especially in the face of threats from Russia and China.

---

Reactions Across Europe

The reaction to Rutte’s remarks has been mixed:

Supporters of strong transatlantic ties argued that his comments were a realistic acknowledgment of current capabilities and a reminder of NATO’s success as a collective defence alliance.

Critics accused him of undermining European initiative and argued that Europe should pursue strategic autonomy regardless of U.S. policy shifts. Some European politicians have stressed that relying on a single external ally could be risky if U.S. security priorities change dramatically.

The debate touches on broader political questions about how Europe defines its role in global security and how it balances sovereignty with coalition defence.

---

Context: NATO’s Defense Spending Push

Underlying much of this discussion is NATO’s ongoing effort to encourage members to increase defence spending. At a summit in The Hague last year, member states — except Spain — agreed to a target of 5 % of GDP on defence and 1.5 % on security infrastructure by 2035. This was in response to U.S. calls for more burden‑sharing among allies.

Rutte reiterated that even reaching those goals would fall short of what would be necessary for Europeans to operate fully independently of U.S. support.

---

Looking Ahead: NATO’s Future and European Defence

The exchange in Brussels underscores a broader tension at the heart of transatlantic security: how Europe and the United States share responsibility for collective defence in an era of shifting global threats. Rutte’s stark language — telling opponents to “keep on dreaming” if they believe Europe can go it alone — sets a clear frame for NATO’s strategy moving forward.

Whether Europe continues to deepen its defence cooperation with the United States, or accelerates efforts toward more autonomous capabilities, remains a central question for security policymakers. But Rutte’s comments make one thing clear: current realities — politically, economically, and militarily — give the United States a role in European defence that many European leaders still view as indispensable.

---

Conclusion

Mark Rutte’s blunt assertion — that Europe cannot defend itself without U.S. support — has brought fresh urgency to debates about NATO’s future and the nature of transatlantic security. His remarks highlight the complex balance between sovereignty and alliance, the immense costs of true defence autonomy, and the shared strategic interests that continue to bind Europe and the United States together.

As European leaders and policymakers reflect on the implications of his statements, one enduring truth in military and diplomatic circles remains: collective defence is rarely the product of a single nation acting alone — but rather of alliances that can adapt to changing threats and priorities.