NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte joined EU defense ministers at a meeting of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council, pressing for closer coordination between the two organizations.
Rutte argued that both NATO and the EU are confronting a harder security environment — from Russia to China's military build-up to terrorism — and said neither institution can respond effectively alone. He renewed his call for higher defense spending and expanded military production, framing both as prerequisites for credible deterrence rather than optional extras.
Ukraine featured prominently in the discussion; Rutte said continued support remains essential if Ukraine is to have the leverage needed to reach a durable end to the war, whatever form negotiations eventually take.