Berlin: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the need for European allies to take on more responsibility for the continent's security as the alliance seeks to enhance Europe's leadership in its defense strategies. Speaking at the Conference of the Heads of German Missions, Rutte highlighted the necessity of making NATO more European-led.

According to Anadolu Agency, Rutte pointed out that defense efforts across Europe are gaining momentum and noted a significant shift in mindset among European allies. He referenced the outcomes of the Ankara summit in July, where allies expressed their determination to build a more robust Europe within a more formidable NATO framework, referred to as NATO 3.0.

Rutte underscored the importance of rebuilding armed forces in Europe, stressing that Europeans increasingly recognize the urgency of taking greater responsibility for their own security. He also addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating that Russia is incurring substantial losses, with estimates of over 40,000 Russians killed or seriously wounded each month.

Despite these losses, Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no signs of ending the war, as Russia continues to target Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, often affecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. Rutte described recent reported sabotage attempts across Europe as tactics of a "desperate regime" failing to achieve its objectives in Ukraine.

Rutte asserted that Putin's attempts to divide, destabilize, and weaken support for Ukraine among European allies would ultimately be unsuccessful. Following his address, Rutte engaged in a discussion with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, affirming the United States' unwavering commitment to NATO and Article Five, which stipulates collective defense among member states.