Off the Record: Teflon Rutte is on a mission to keep NATO together

Welcome to Off the Record, where we speak directly with the newsmakers. This week, Euronews hosted its first defence summit, and I sat down with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The Dutchman, known for his Teflon reputation, is focused on keeping the alliance together. Despite his often blunt demeanor, Rutte excels at self-deprecation and charming small talk. He understands that managing NATO requires a delicate balance, especially when dealing with the United States and Russia.

Rutte confirmed NATO's response to a provocative Russian letter threatening nuclear weapons if Russian territory came under threat. He emphasized that Russia should end the war in Ukraine and cease nuclear threats. While he insisted there is "no imminent threat" to NATO territory, he acknowledged that Russia's military capabilities are limited and that the ongoing war would likely result in significant damage to Russia.

Rutte expressed his support for increasing NATO's defense spending, committing to 5% of GDP, with 3.5% allocated to hard military capabilities. He believes Europe should take the lead in addressing issues like the Houthi threat in the Red Sea. As tensions rise in Eastern Europe, particularly in the Baltic states, Rutte remains committed to projecting a united and strong NATO alliance.