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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Türkiye is a key ally with one of Europe’s largest armies and defense industrial bases, adding that Ankara is expected to play a role in security guarantees for Ukraine once a peace deal or ceasefire is reached.
"Türkiye is clearly one of NATO’s key allies. It has been part of the alliance almost from the beginning. It has one of Europe’s largest armies. It has one of Europe’s largest defense industrial bases. So Türkiye is a key ally in every respect and is highly respected by the other 31 allies," Rutte told reporters on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Dublin.
He was asked about Türkiye’s role in NATO in light of tensions in the Middle East.
Europeans and the United States reached common conclusions on how to shape security guarantees for Ukraine at a “very successful” meeting in Paris in January, Rutte said. Türkiye and other key European countries are expected to take part, with the U.S. providing clear backing, he said.
"All of this is essentially done, ready. But now of course we need a peace deal, or at least a ceasefire. That is what everyone is working so hard to achieve," Rutte said.
"All these countries face the same threat. Threats from Russia, and also threats from Russia working together with countries like Iran, China and North Korea," he said.
European allies and Canada spent an additional $250 billion on defense in 2025 and 2026, Rutte said, adding that more is needed. "We need more weapon systems, more equipment to protect ourselves. A lot is being done, but more needs to be done here too," he said.
"We all need to do more together to ensure Ukraine can get through the winter and be as strong as possible in negotiations with Russia,” Rutte said.
Asked about claims that Washington may lack the political will to send Patriot systems to Ukraine, he said: "All deliveries under this program called PURL, meaning shipments of American equipment to Ukraine, including air defense, are continuing. That’s the positive."
Asked whether that included Patriots, he said: "Including Patriots."
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"Let’s first recognize that the extremely positive news from Abu Dhabi is that the U.S., Europe and Ukraine are largely aligned, in the same position," Rutte said, as U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff flew from Moscow to Dublin.
"But at this stage, it largely depends on Russia," he added.
"It’s very difficult to say,” he told Agence France-Presse (AFP) when asked if peace was closer.
He pushed back on the idea of Russia having a say over NATO decisions: "This is not a discussion," he said, noting the alliance rejected Russia’s "unacceptable" pre-2022 demands. Talks with Russia on broader security were "not strange," he added, citing Cold War-era contacts.
Rutte also called for a whole-of-society approach to hybrid threats such as cyberattacks and arson. "You are seeing these hybrid attacks all over Europe right now," he said.
Rutte clarified earlier remarks that drew criticism from Portugal.
"I have no criticism of Portugal or Spain, because they are doing exactly what we need to do. They are increasing defense spending and defense industrial production," he said, adding, "All I said is that Russia’s newest missiles take five minutes longer to reach Dublin, Amsterdam, Madrid or Italy, Rome, than to reach Tallinn or Vilnius."
Portugal’s Foreign Ministry had said Rutte "should know better than to overlook the countries and governments that stand firmly by Ukraine," calling it "regrettable that the NATO Secretary General should speak so lightly on such a serious matter."
Asked whether he would explain himself to Portugal’s prime minister, Rutte said: "I don’t think I have anything to explain," as he underscored Türkiye’s NATO role.
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