Official NATO budget reports or announcements

Dutch PM Rutte: Europe to Fund US Arms for Ukraine, Warns of Trillions in Costs if Russia Prevails

Jan 23, 2025, 11:29 AM

Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, has urged the United States to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine, with Europe pledging to finance the purchase of American arms. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Rutte emphasized that if a new Trump administration is willing to support Ukraine, Europe is prepared to cover the costs. He warned that a Russian victory would undermine NATO's strength and cost the alliance trillions of dollars, far exceeding current military expenditures. Rutte stressed the need to change the trajectory of the war, increase defense investment, and ramp up defense industrial production. He cautioned against a quick end to the war on terms unfavorable to Ukraine and supported higher defense budgets.