Pre-ministerial press conference

Thank you and good afternoon.
On Thursday and Friday NATO Foreign Ministers will meet to discuss pressing security issues as we continue planning for our Summit in The Hague.

We will focus on strengthening our collective defence. It is the foundation on which NATO was built and it remains our number one priority.
We will also meet with our key partners – Ukraine, the European Union, and our partners in the Indo-Pacific.

We gather at a particularly crucial time for our shared security. With challenges too great for any of us to bear alone.

This week marks a grim anniversary – when the world discovered the tragedy of Bucha.
I visited in July 2022 and spoke with some of those who survived.
We will never forget that devastation. Three years since the liberation of Bucha, Russia continues to wage war against Ukraine.  

I commend President Trump for breaking the deadlock and I fully support the efforts undertaken by the US to bring this terrible war to a just and lasting end.
As well as the efforts of the UK, France, and others to contribute to ensuring a lasting peace when the time comes.

NATO Allies continue our support to Ukraine. In the first three months of this year, Allies have already pledged more than 20 billion euros in security assistance for 2025 and our command in Wiesbaden continues to coordinate the delivery of security assistance and training for Ukraine.

The threat we face from Russia remains and Russia continues to work closely with China, Iran, and North Korea in ways that not only harm Ukraine but pose risks across the Alliance and around the world.

We see these and other actors working to destabilise our societies with sabotage to undersea infrastructure, cyber-attacks, assassination attempts, and more.

We live in a dangerous world and in the face of these and other challenges, we must build a stronger, a fairer and more lethal NATO. That’s why Ministers are here this week. To ensure we are aligned and actively working towards our common goal.

We stand together – deploying and exercising to ensure we are ready and able.
We are grateful to the men and women of our armed forces for the service they provide every day. And we were reminded of the risks of that service again this week – having tragically lost four brave American soldiers during training in Lithuania. We are profoundly grateful for their service. Our deepest condolences go to their families, friends, and fellow soldiers.
We mourn their loss and take heart in the outstanding solidarity we saw during the search and rescue operation with Americans and Lithuanians, Poles and Estonians working shoulder-to-shoulder around the clock. This is the true spirit of the Alliance and in that spirit, we have important work to take forward.
We are building a more capable Alliance by investing in what we need to counter the threats we face and we are making major progress. Many Allies are stepping up their spending in ways we haven’t seen in decades and I expect more announcements to follow. 

This is critical. Ministers will talk about how to ensure we can continue this trend. We will also discuss how we can produce more – on both sides of the Atlantic and make it easier to work together – exchange, innovate, and partner in ways that benefit us all.

This is not only a topic for Allies, but one that we will discuss with our Indo-Pacific partners, with Ukraine, and with the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, who will join us on both days.
Our partners make an essential contribution to our shared security. Sharing insights, experience, and expertise.

When we meet in the NATO-Ukraine Council tomorrow evening, we will hear from Minister Andrii Sybiha. He will update us on the current situation in Ukraine as well as his perspectives on the process towards a just and lasting peace.

All of this and more will contribute to the new chapter for NATO that we will start in The Hague in June.

Our priorities are clear, we are building a stronger, fairer and more lethal Alliance - that’s what we need to secure our future.

And with that, I am ready to take your questions.    

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, let's start over here, second row all the way on my left.

Andrew Grey, Reuters
Secretary General Andrew Gray from Reuters. As you know, the European Union has set itself the goal of being able to defend itself by 2030. Is that a realistic and wise target to set?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Well, we are working together with the EU in a very close cooperation on the White Paper, other issues. And what we have to make sure of is that we can not only defend NATO territory today, but also in five years’ time. And it means more spending. It means more defence production.
That means for NATO that we will work on the standard setting, on the capabilities. It means for our European partners that they have to work on getting the internal market going, for example, when it comes to defence industrial production. So we have a clear division of labour here. And I think that is very positive.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, the gentleman in the fourth row, in the centre.

Thomas Gutschker, FAZ
Thank you. Thomas Gutschker, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Good afternoon. Two questions please. The first one, the Washington Post published a story recently that refers to an internal guidance by the Pentagon that basically says everything needs to be prepared for a major war with China, and that also says that in the event that American troops are bound by such a war, or the threat of such a war, Europe could not rely on troop reinforcements from the US. Which indications do you have for such scenarios, and what does it mean for the defence plans of the Alliance? Question number one.
Question number two, completely unrelated. Foreign ministers are meeting formally here, and they will meet informally in Antalya, at least that's the plan for now. With the arrest of the leading opposition politician and hundreds of people protesting, among them, not among them, but additionally, a Swedish journalist, do you think it's a good idea to be hosted by Türkiye for such an informal meeting in May? Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
I think on your second question, that it is an important meeting, that it is important that it is informal, and Türkiye has offered to host it. When it comes to your first question, clearly, what we need to do is to make sure that we have everything it takes to defend our Euro-Atlantic area. And we also know that threats are manifold also outside the Euro-Atlantic area. And that means that when it comes to US, but also to other NATO Allies, and for the Alliance as a whole, that we have to be aware of what is happening in the Indo-Pacific. That's the reason why we have that close cooperation.

And that will also mean that it is understandable, also for the US, that over time, they want to focus more and more also on that part of the world, and it is only logical for the Europeans to step up even more. There are no plans to withdraw or whatever. We know that the US is completely committed to NATO. But I think it is in all our interest that we are able to keep this whole planet stable. For NATO to focus, of course, very much on our Euro-Atlantic area. But as I said, together with the US at 32, to be very much aware that the threats are not only limited to the Russians.
We see the Chinese building up. We see what is happening in Iran. We see what is happening in North Korea. And that's why Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand will join us.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright. Blonde woman with the red glasses in the centre.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Beautiful glasses.

Iryna Somer, Interfax Ukraine
Good description. Thank you, Allison. Iryna Somer, News Agency Interfax Ukraine. Next week here in NATO HQ, the meeting of the coalition of the willing will take place. So my question is, for you, Secretary General, what kind of role do you see for NATO playing in this coalition? Is it only to provide the facilities for meeting, or it can be something more? Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Well I've myself participated in some of these meetings in London, and twice in Paris. Because I'm traveling next week, the Deputy Secretary General will participate in a meeting here, and we are there to advise, but also to hint at the implications of certain plans and what that means for the defence of NATO territory. So that is important. So we are there in an advisory role, and also very much explaining the implications of decisions, will they be taken.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright. And then just in front of Irina, the gentleman in the blue suit.

Alexey Minchionak, Zerkalo
Good afternoon. I want to ask about the joint military exercise Zapad 2022 [2025], will take place in Belarus. Our sources in Belarusian army say that for this exercises, system [inaudible] tactical nuclear weapons will be sent to Belarus from Russia, and they say that nuclear weapon are not yet in Belarus. Do you see nuclear weapon in Belarus and, or they are not still there? Is the risk that the Russian army will stay in Belarus after the exercises like it was in winter 2022?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
I have no information to share with you on that. We know that these type of exercises take place regularly, but you are asking some more specific questions concerning those exercises, and I've no new information to share at this moment. All right,

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, let's see, the gentleman in the brown jacket here.

Mohammed Ghazal, Aletihad News Centre
This is Mohammed from the Al-Etihad, United Arab Emirates. With the fresh Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and concerns of the re-emergence of ISIS in the region. How does NATO asses these emerging threats? And how is NATO work with its southern partners to including the to EU, to face such threats? Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Now, of course, we work together in the Anti-Daesh Coalition, which was hosted here the last time, I think it was in December last year. Then, of course, as NATO, we are active in Iraq, helping Iraq to build up its own armed forces and also their own justice department and the security forces in Iraq, through the NATO Mission in Iraq. And we have a close cooperation with many of our partners in the southern neighborhood. We had a very successful meeting of the North Atlantic Council with seven ambassadors from Algeria and Egypt and other countries and Mauritania and others. I think it was two or three weeks ago, so we follow that closely, and obviously it is outside NATO territory. But of course, there is a clear interest.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, gentlemen here, in the sweater.

Kenan Cosic, Oslobodjenje, Sarajevo
Secretary General, the president, you've been talking about Putin and about Russia. Western Balkans are again in focus, I am Kenan Cosic from Oslobodjenje, Sarajevo. The president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, recently, a few days ago, met with the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Given that an arrest warrant has been issued for Dodik in Bosnia and Herzegovina with an international warrant pending INTERPOL's decision, how does NATO view this meeting in the context of regional stability? And second question, additionally, how do you assess Dodik stated position that police of Republika Srpska would prevent his arrest in Bosnian Herzegovina?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Well, clearly it's up in the first place to the Bosnia and Herzegovina presidency, the three-member presidency to take charge of the country, as I explained to them again when I visited, you know, three weeks ago. I know some of them are somewhat irritated with the role of the High Representative, Mr. Schmidt, and, of course, other aspects of the Dayton Agreement. But in the end, if they take control of the country, the three of them, then they really rule the country. And that is my urge. For NATO, I have made very clear, we cannot accept a security vacuum in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we don't want any destabilization there. And of course, when it comes to Dodik, the president of Republika Srpska, and all the court orders and everything happening there, we expect him to, yeah, to basically accept, when the independent judiciary is ruling, that he accepts that and that he then behaves accordingly.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, gentleman in the fourth row here.

Gabriel Domingues, The Japan Times
Gabriel Domingues from The Japan Times newspaper in Tokyo. There will be a meeting between the North Atlantic Council and the Indo-Pacific 4 countries tomorrow. Could you tell us what topics will be on the agenda and what new ways are being considered to deepen cooperation between NATO and these countries?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
That's a very good question, and I'm really looking forward to that meeting, and also to my bilateral meeting with the Japanese Foreign Minister. And this is important because we cannot look at the at NATO territory in isolation. We know that all these theatres, the Indo-Pacific, the Euro-Atlantic, what is happening in the Middle East, this is all getting more and more interconnected.
Look at what is happening in Ukraine, with North Korea, China and Iran getting more and more involved. And of course, the fact that China is rapidly building up its own armed forces, having towards a thousand nuclear warheads by 2030. So what we will concentrate tomorrow on, I think, and no I expect even, is that we will deepen the corporation. We will make it more and more and more practical.
That means working together on issues like defence industrial corporation, exchanging experiences and views, etc. We are learning a lot now from this terrible war in Ukraine, capturing those lessons through JATEC, the Joint Analysis Centre now opened in Poland, which is a joint Ukraine-NATO initiative.
And we have to make sure, when we work with the Indo-Pacific 4 partners, that we capture those lessons, that we learn from them, including Australia, New Zealand, but of course, also Korea and Japan. And I think that is important. And the good thing here is that it is getting from the meeting is the message, more and more to content, to meet on the bond, and that's extremely important.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson 
The blonde woman in the blue dress.

Alexandra Filippenko, The Breakfast Show
Hi, Alexandra Filippenko, The Breakfast Show, originally Russia, but in exile in Lithuania. For the sake of international security, who should control Greenland?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Denmark is, of course, not controlling Greenland, but it is part of Denmark, in a sense of being part of the Kingdom of Denmark I should say. It is an independent territory, but part of the Kingdom of Denmark. But of course, your question has to do with this whole issue of how to defend the Arctic, the High North. And this is not only Denmark through Greenland. This is also Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Canada and the United States, seven NATO Allies, the eighth country being Russia, but the other seven all being in NATO, and we’re working more and more closely together, because we know what is happening there. We know that the Chinese are making use of the sea lanes opening up. We know that the Russians are more and more arming that part of the world. We know that we have an issue, for example, a very practical issue, that we do not have enough ice breakers. It seems a detail, but it is not, it is important. And on all of this, we are working more and more closely together, NATO getting more and more involved. And I think that is very important.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, the gentleman in the fourth row, white shirt.

Rikhard Husu, YLE
Thank you very much, Rikhard Husu, Finnish national broadcaster YLE, my question is on defence spending. This week, the Finnish government announced that it will increase national defense spending to 3% by 2029. What's your view on this decision? Do you expect similar pledges already before The Hague? Would it be beneficial? And additionally, Finland has also decided to withdraw from the treaty against landmines. What is the broader significance on this for NATO's defences as also the Baltics and Poland have made similar decisions. Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
So when it comes to the Ottawa agreement, that obviously is for individual Allies to decide, also I should not comment. I took note of that, but I'm extremely happy, of course, with the extra spending Finland has pledged. I think even if you figure in the cost of conscription in Finland, it brings you up to three and a half percent by 2029 if I'm correctly informed. So it is really a surge, and we see this all over NATO now. Look what Germany is doing, opening up half a trillion extra in defence spending. The Europeans coming up with 800 billion extra. Finland indeed. But also the announcements by Denmark, by Sweden, by the Czech Republic, by so many others. I mean, I'm now forgetting probably one or two, so sorry for that. But also, many countries who are not yet at 2% are more and more getting to a place where they want to commit to 2% potentially even before the summit in The Hague. All these rumours are now floating around. And I think this is really a surge. Already, we have seen defence spending on aggregate, since 2017 in Canada and the European part of NATO going up 700 billion. But the last couple of months, the numbers coming in, it's really staggering, it is impressive, and it is needed, because we have this Russian threat. We have the Chinese build-up. We have this connection with North Korea and Iran, so we have to defend ourselves, and we can defend ourselves now, but if this surge would not have happened, and hopefully will continue to happen, we could not defend ourselves in five years, and that is why this is so much needed.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Teri.

Teri Schultz, NPR
Teri Schultz with NPR today, I was touched that you began the press conference by mentioning Bucha. And your predecessor visited Bucha and said that what happened there was basically an unspeakable crime, and that those responsible should be brought to justice. Since then, the US, which was contributing personnel and funding to investigations into Russian war crimes, allegedly Russian war crimes, like in Bucha, they've withdrawn that funding and that personnel. What is your position on that? Do you also believe that those responsible for these atrocities must be brought to justice, that there must be accountability for these crimes to have a Europe that is stable in the future, that these cannot be, these crimes must be accounted for. And would you like to see the US continue supporting that effort?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Obviously, those who are responsible for Bucha and for sure, many other crimes have to be brought to justice, yes, but when it comes to the other part of the question, our focus now has to be on making sure that we can end this war in a way that Putin will never, ever try again to capture one square mile or a kilometre of Ukraine or of a part of NATO territory, and that a ceasefire/a peace deal in Ukraine will be lasting, will be enduring. That has to be our main focus at the moment. So I'm not going to comment on every policy decision within every Ally every day. That's impossible for me, but your general question, absolutely yes, we have to bring those responsible to justice, and we have to really focus on making sure that this war ends in a way that again, as I said, it will never happen again.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, and just behind Teri, Max.

Max Delany, AFP
Thanks a lot. Secretary General, Donald Trump is about to announce tariffs that will hit both foe and friend of the US. I don't want you to comment specifically on the tariffs that are coming, but are you afraid that this sort of trade war that it could spark will have an impact and undermine the Alliance?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Well, you know, the Alliance is laser focused on making sure that we can defend our NATO territory, and there are increasing threats from the Russians from others, that's what we are focusing on. And that means that when it comes to fiscal policy, when it comes to, for example, this whole issue of imposing of tariffs, this is really a matter for national governments, and you rightly assumed that I was not going to comment.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, down here in the centre, third row.

Unnamed Journalist
Hi, Mr. Secretary General, I wanted to ask about Moldova. So recently, three Russian diplomats were expelled from Chisinau after it was demonstrated the involvement of the Russian Federation embassy in the transportation of a convicted Moldovan member of the Parliament to the Transnistrian region, and in reply, Russia says that serious consequences will follow, and Moldova has parliamentary elections soon. And as we all know, Moldova is also a target of cyber-attacks. So can we expect an evolution of relations between Moldova and NATO in order to protect Moldova from the foreign interferences. Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General 
We have a strong cooperation with Moldova with Chisinau, with President Sandu. She visited me in December. We know each other very well - in this role, but also in my previous job in the Netherlands, we worked very well together. And obviously wherever we can help, and we do a lot together, but whatever we can do more of, we will do so. It's not always wise for me to tell you everything. Keep our enemies a bit guessing, but you can be assured there’s a close cooperation.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright. And just behind her, the gentleman in the fourth row.

Dmytro Shkurko, Ukrinform
Thank you for floor, Dmytro Shkurko, National News Agency of Ukraine. Secretary General, Russia officially denied the US proposals for ceasefire in Ukraine, saying that it does not meet the core Russian demands, but we all remember that the core Russian demands are just withdrawal of NATO troops to the borders of 1997, why, just curious what kind of response could be here from NATO side. Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Listen, you will hear many crazy things coming out of Putin and out of Russia, including their demands for a peace deal and whatever. I would not take it all too seriously. Of course, we have to look into it always, and have to react to it. But I mean, this is also how he tries to negotiate. And I am, as I said, I commend President Trump for breaking the deadlock, for getting the discussion going, for getting this initial 30-day ceasefire on the energy infrastructure, steps taken about on the Black Sea. Of course, we hope for more. And I know that the American administration is working day and night to get it done. We are getting updates, being informed, etc. And then it is important on the European side, that countries like the UK and France are thinking about the situation post a ceasefire/a peace deal. But you know, if I would comment on every media outing of Putin, particularly when it comes to what the Americans try to establish in terms of a ceasefire and a peace deal –it’s not helpful, but you will hear many strange things coming out of Moscow.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, the woman just two away from –yes.

Alexandra von Nahmen, DW
The woman is Alexandra von Nahman with DW.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Good afternoon ma’am.

Alexandra von Nahmen, DW
Yesterday, Serbia and NATO Ally Hungary signed a new defence cooperation agreement. Was the NATO Alliance consulted beforehand? Do you condone it, given the situation in the region and Serbia's ties with Russia? Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Well, we see in the region, of course, more of these bilateral, trilateral agreements, with also Albania with Kosovo and Croatia. And of course we have. And then this one's coming up. I mean, this is outside. This is – NATO is not party to this. So this is not concerning the Alliance.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, the woman in the third row in the black.

Anastasya Mikhaylova, The Insider
My name is Anastasya Mikhailova. I'm from The Insider, Russian media in exile, and you told sometimes yesterday that the war should be end, but how it could be end now. And what do you think about Russian threats for European Union? And do you have a plan about re-arm? Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Well, of course, the best way to end the war is for the Russians to leave Ukraine, and then it can end very soon, but that is not going to happen, I'm afraid. So that's why it's good that the Americans have now started this process and that was important because somebody had to break the deadlock. And I always assumed if President Trump would be elected, that he would try to do so, and he has done so, and I think that is good. And we completely support, support those efforts, and we have to take it from here, and we have to make sure that whatever happens, that when there is a deal ultimately struck and or a sustainable ceasefire is ultimately organised that it has to be clear to the Russians that they cannot do this again, that this has got to stop. And that's why it has to be durable. It has to be lasting. And this is exactly what the Americans are aiming for, what you all are aiming for, including making sure that the whole of NATO territory stays safe.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, the woman in the front here.

Nita Dobroshi, Koha Ditori
It’s Nita Dobroshi, from Koha, Kosovo. During your recent visit to Kosovo, you mentioned the possibility that NATO's potential engagement in Ukraine could lead to discussions about its presence in Balkans. Given the region's fragile situation, security situation highlighted by attacks in KFOR troops in 2023 and Banjska and Zvecan attacks. One year later, approximately what implications could this have to regional security in general and for Kosovo in particular?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
I'm not sure I made a connection between Ukraine and a potential peace deal on Ukraine, and then potentially security guarantees being needed for Ukraine. And we know the initiatives now being developed by European Allies, like the French and the Brits are doing with others. And I did not connect that to the situation in Kosovo, because I think KFOR is important. EUFOR, the EU force in Bosnia and Herzegovina is important. We work closely together. So I think the security situation in Kosovo is very close to our heart. We have to make sure that the situation since 1999, now much more stable can continue and when it comes to indeed, Banjska and also the attack on NATO forces, both in 2023 that the Serbs will work on the accountability. This is what I discussed with President Vučić, on the phone but also when he – when we had dinner here in Brussels two weeks ago.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, the woman in the green sweater.

Binna Chung, Yonhap News Agency
Thank you. Binna Chung from Yonhap News Agency, South Korea. I'm sure you are aware of the political situation in South Korea. So I have two questions. Why do you think it's still crucial to have cooperation with South Korea? And secondly, actually, we were waiting for the impeachment ruling this week. So my question would be, will you be sending invitation to South Korea, whoever their leader is then regarded –regardless of the outcome of this week's ruling. Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Well, of course, the judicial process within the Republic of Korea is very much to the Republic of Korea. I can only respect whatever outcome there will be. I'm happy that the Foreign Minister is visiting this Foreign Ministers meeting. I will have a meeting with him in half an hour, I’m looking forward to that bilateral meeting. And then, of course, he will participate tomorrow in the Foreign Ministers meeting, and when it comes to The Hague and the Summit and choreography, we still have to take final decisions on that. So no news on that. But that is not about Korea. That is more generally, how will we engage, yes or no, in what format, with our partners.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
And the row just in front of her, the woman with the glasses?

Kim Mackrael, Wall Street Journal
Thank you, Kim Mackrael from the Wall Street Journal, and I'm sorry, to hide behind the cameras, the position of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe is traditionally held by an American. There have been some reports, though, that the US is considering giving that position up, wondering, if that happens, what would that mean for NATO, and what would that mean for the US’ influence in NATO?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Well, these are ‘what if?’ questions, and I've seen other than some of these rumours and reports, indeed, in your newspaper. I've not seen any concrete proposals on this, so I don't want to react on ‘what if?’ questions. Chris Cavoli, being the EUCOM commander - EUCOM, the Commander of US forces here in Europe, but also being the Supreme Allied Commander, that is a tradition we have since the start of NATO, since Eisenhower, for good reasons, but let me not comment on ‘what if?’ questions.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, the woman standing.

Assia Atrous, Assabah News
Thank you. I'm Assia Atrous from Tunisia. I really would like to notice that there is a group of Arab journalists from the Middle East and North Africa within this group, really. Secretary General, I really appreciate your comments on Ukraine. You said that you want to pursue the war criminals injustice and your positive message to Ukrainian people because of the Russian aggression, knowing that tomorrow Gaza may be on the agenda. So are you concerned about the situation in Gaza? Is there any single step to stop the bloodshed, to save children in Gaza, to stop the killing, the daily killing and the starvation of people there under the eyes of the world? Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General 
Of course, we are following the situation in the Middle East, and particularly in Gaza and Lebanon. And your question is very much to Gaza, we follow that very closely, at the same time, this is a question which is really being addressed at the level of the individual Allies, they are navigating the crisis. So there's no role for NATO here.
When it comes to NATO and a close cooperation with Southern neighbourhood, including with Tunisia and other countries, Algeria and Morocco and Mauritania and Egypt and Israel and others, this is about security cooperation. How can we help each other? How can some like in Mauritania or in so, by the way, Jordan – a very important partner there, like we're doing in Iraq. How can NATO help to make sure that we apply our knowledge to help these countries to build up their own armed forces, their own security forces, etc. But when it comes to Gaza itself and the situation there, it's up to individual Allies to navigate that situation.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, I know that we'll have more questions than we have time to answer, but we do have a few more minutes. So let's come to the woman in blue here on the aisle.

Isabelle Schaefers, ZDF
Hi, good afternoon. Isabelle Schaefers, German TV, ZDF, I have a question on defence spending. We know that Donald Trump wants 5% but only for the Allies, not for the US, on this special topic, but also, more general, do the European Allies need to do basically everything that the US requests now in order to keep the US within NATO?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General 
Well, first of all, as I said, let's celebrate the fact that we have added, in aggregate, by now, 700 billion since 2017. And that the last couple of months, including your country, I mean, you guys are leading the way, the Germans, the half trillion extra in defence spending is staggering. What we will have to do in the run up to The Hague is to assess, and this is a process we have in place in NATO, the defence planning process we have to assess exactly what are the targets we need to achieve. Based on those targets, which gaps do we have? We have already identified a few. For example, the fact that we need more long-range capabilities, that we need more air defences, that when it comes to our land forces, our armies, we need to invest more there, including in the way they are outfitted, etc. So on all these issues and logistics and command and control, etc. So they will, when you look at the aggregate number, and it is not finalised yet, we will finalise that whole process early June with the Defence Ministers. You can assume that, as I said before, that you will have to spend considerably, considerably north of 3% to reach these targets, to close the gaps, to make sure that we can keep ourselves safe in this part of Europe, and that is driving us at the moment. But whilst we are working on those targets, we see these staggering amounts of money coming in, and that is important, that means that Europeans are stepping up. And that's crucial because of the threats from Russia and the increasing threats from China, but also around North Korea.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, staying in the same row the woman in green.

Lise Hessellund, TV 2
Hi, I'm here.  Hi. [inaudible], Lisa Hessellund from Danish TV 2. I would like to return to the question regarding Greenland. I hear your point on the necessity to have a larger presence in the Arctic, but we have a situation where one NATO Ally is threatening another NATO Ally with taking control of its territory. So my question is, why won't you go into that discussion? Why is that? And also, isn't there a credibility problem here when we have this situation, we have these threats, and you won't distance yourself as Secretary General to these threats? Normally, we also hear similar things coming out of Russia. But why don't you want to go into to this specific debate? Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Because what I want to do is to have us focus on the issue at hand. And the issue at hand here is the defence of the Arctic, and that is much broader than Greenland. Of course, Greenland is part of the Arctic. But as I said, Denmark through Greenland is one of the seven countries - the US itself, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden. They are all part of the High North, and we have some serious issues to be, to address. With the Chinese using the sea lanes, with the Russians rearming the region and I want us to concentrate on that issue and be very much focused on this, because there is a real issue there which goes really beyond Greenland, only Greenland, of course, Greenland being important, but it is in conjunction with the other six.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, I think we've got time perhaps for one more. The gentleman here in the front.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Two more please.

Darko Cacic, BETA News Agency
Darko Cacic, BETA News Agency from Serbia. Secretary General, you said that NATO is not part of bilateral agreements in the Balkans but can you tell how does NATO view the recent agreement between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo, which has sparked strong reactions from Serbia, particularly President Vucic, sorry, President Vucic's claim that it could, that it means opening an arms race in the Balkans? Given that Croatia and Albania are NATO member states, what implications does that agreement have on regional security and stability?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Well of course the stability and the situation in Western Balkans is very much a concern. That is why NATO is present in both Kosovo and also in Bosnia and Herzegovina. And of course, we have five Allies - Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Croatia and Slovenia on the Western Balkans and we are working very closely together. But please understand that for me as Secretary General, I should not, I should refrain a little bit from commenting on every development in every part of the world, including on the Western Balkans. This is really for individual Allies to decide. There are many more of these bilateral and trilateral agreements between Allies. I know that, for example, the Netherlands and Belgium are working together on many issues. And of course, that is different from what you are addressing here, I know and you're addressing an important subject, but still, I think I should not comment myself.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright, you said one final question? Alright, one final question. Gentleman in the blue here.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
With the glasses.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Ok, you're the boss.

Barzan Hassan, Kurdistan 24
Thank you. Barzan Hassan reporter from Kurdistan 24. The mission of global coalition force in Iraq, to end by 2026 next year, you are, as a NATO - are you going to end as well, or you are going to stay like the training forces? And the second question, back to February - during the mission [Munich] conference in Germany, you have had meeting with the President of the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Could you tell us something about that meeting? Thank you.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
That was a very positive meeting. We know each other very well in my previous role, and it is important, I think, to continue that conversation. So I was very happy to have that opportunity in Munich. Of course, I cannot disclose what we discussed in detail, but it was a very cordial meeting, re-establishing our relationship. And when it comes to Iraq, of course, we are there at the invitation of the Iraqi government, helping Iraq to develop its armed forces and develop its security forces. And of course, when there are changes to the overall security infrastructure, because, for example, the Americans potentially taking down some of their troop levels there, because the discussion is there with Iraq, that could have an implication for the NATO Mission in Iraq and then we will navigate that with the Iraqi authorities. So you can be assured that we will always be in front of that.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright. And then very final question to the gentleman in the glasses and the blue shirt.

Michel Kerres, NRC Amsterdam
Yes, thank you very much. Michel Kerres, NRC Amsterdam.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
And now you have to ask a nice question.

Michel Kerres, NRC Amsterdam
A nice question? Ok, ok. So there was quite a few issues have raised considerable concern about the cohesion in NATO. Think about Greenland, think about the direct contact between the US and Russia without Europe being present. How would you characterise the atmosphere in your house at this moment?

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
As I said last week in Warsaw, I know there has been some tough language. I know that there have been Allies, for example, this side of the pond being worried about the long-term commitment of the US to NATO. And I was in the White House but before I went to the White House, we had President Macron there and Prime Minister Starmer. And on so many other occasions, the Americans have stated again and again, ‘we are committed to NATO.’ ‘We are committed to Article Five.’ This commitment comes with a clear expectation. The expectation that on this side of the Atlantic and Canada, we will spend more, commit that we will really deliver on the 2% and then move upwards because of these gaps we still have in this part of NATO to deliver on all the targets. And that's the process we are in the middle of. And in the meantime, the hundreds of billions are rolling in as we speak, and that will continue, no doubt over the coming days and weeks, is my expectation. And we have to do this because of the Russian threat and because of the increasing China threat. So let's not be naive about that. But I'm absolutely convinced this Alliance is there to stay with the US - their commitment is absolutely clear. We want to do more together in the Indo-Pacific, even so and we want to work on many issues, including in the Arctic, and I think that is also positive.

Allison Hart, Acting NATO Spokesperson
Alright. Thank you very much everyone. We'll be back on Friday afternoon, so if we didn't hear from you today, hopefully we'll get you in then. Thank you so much.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General
Great, see you later this week.