The head of NATO issued a chilling warning when he suggested Britons “better learn to speak Russian” if the UK doesn’t boost defence spending. Secretary General Mark Rutte is pushing for allies to spend 5% of GDP on defence, but did not reveal a deadline for the increase.
The former Dutch PM was asked whether he thought Chancellor Rachel Reeves should raise taxes to meet increased spending targets. Speaking at Chatham House in London, Mr Rutte said “it’s not up to me decide”, but warned: “If you do not do this, if you would not go to the 5%, including the 3.5% core defence spending, you could still have the National Health Service, or in other countries their health systems, the pension system, etcetera, but you had better learn to speak Russian.” Mr Rutte’s proposed 5% spending target would require NATO allies to spend 3.5% of GDP on core defence spending, with the final 1.5% made up of “defence-related expenditure”.