Europe will fund US weapons for Ukraine, Nato chief Rutte says
The alliance has to invest more in defence and increase defence industrial production, according to secretary-general
23 January 2025 - 17:37
by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Lili Bayer
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Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte. Picture: YVES HERMAN/REUTERS
Davos — Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte on Thursday called for the US to continue supplying Ukraine and said Europe would pay the bill.
Speaking at an event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Nato chief said the alliance had to invest more in defence, ramp up defence industrial production and take on a bigger share of spending on help for Ukraine.
“On Ukraine, we need US also to stay involved,” Rutte said.
“If this new Trump administration is willing to keep on supplying Ukraine from its defence industrial base, the bill will be paid by the Europeans, I’m absolutely convinced of this, we have to be willing to do that,” he added.
The secretary-general’s comments came after US President Donald Trump said earlier this week that the EU should be doing more to support Ukraine.
In Davos, Rutte also said it was vital Russia did not win as it could result in Russian President Vladimir Putin “high fiving” the leaders of North Korea and China.
“We really have to step up and not scale back our support for Ukraine,” the Nato chief said.
“The frontline is moving in the wrong direction,” he said.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Europe will fund US weapons for Ukraine, Nato chief Rutte says
The alliance has to invest more in defence and increase defence industrial production, according to secretary-general
Davos — Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte on Thursday called for the US to continue supplying Ukraine and said Europe would pay the bill.
Speaking at an event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Nato chief said the alliance had to invest more in defence, ramp up defence industrial production and take on a bigger share of spending on help for Ukraine.
“On Ukraine, we need US also to stay involved,” Rutte said.
“If this new Trump administration is willing to keep on supplying Ukraine from its defence industrial base, the bill will be paid by the Europeans, I’m absolutely convinced of this, we have to be willing to do that,” he added.
The secretary-general’s comments came after US President Donald Trump said earlier this week that the EU should be doing more to support Ukraine.
In Davos, Rutte also said it was vital Russia did not win as it could result in Russian President Vladimir Putin “high fiving” the leaders of North Korea and China.
“We really have to step up and not scale back our support for Ukraine,” the Nato chief said.
“The frontline is moving in the wrong direction,” he said.
Reuters
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