Rutte acknowledges that current defense spending is higher than a decade ago but still lower than during the Cold War when European members of NATO spent 3.8% of GDP on defense. He emphasizes the need for increased defense spending, citing Russia’s substantial military outlay and the European Commission’s estimation of €500 billion needed over the next decade to meet NATO’s capability targets. The 2 percent defense spending goal is deemed insufficient by allies, with a consensus emerging for higher spending to implement regional defense plans and address evolving threats.
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