Katja Adler

He certainly wasn't chosen as the new secretary general because the Netherlands, he's former prime minister of the Netherlands. has a good track record in defence spending because it was very known to be low when he was prime minister for 14 years.

He certainly wasn't chosen as the new secretary general because the Netherlands, he's former prime minister of the Netherlands. has a good track record in defence spending because it was very known to be low when he was prime minister for 14 years.

So we're talking about Mark Rutte here, the new NATO Secretary General. He gave his big first speech just the other day here in Brussels and I sat down with him straight after. The United States, Donald Trump, he says Europe has to pay its way. Are you worried if Europe doesn't up its spending that he could turn his back on this transatlantic alliance?

So we're talking about Mark Rutte here, the new NATO Secretary General. He gave his big first speech just the other day here in Brussels and I sat down with him straight after. The United States, Donald Trump, he says Europe has to pay its way. Are you worried if Europe doesn't up its spending that he could turn his back on this transatlantic alliance?

I noticed when I spoke to Mark Rutter that he was using a very similar technique. It's flattery to Donald Trump. It was the same flattery that he used in 2018. You're right, Donald Trump. You're right. We do all need to spend a lot more on defence. So even though he was speaking to Europeans here in Brussels...

I noticed when I spoke to Mark Rutter that he was using a very similar technique. It's flattery to Donald Trump. It was the same flattery that he used in 2018. You're right, Donald Trump. You're right. We do all need to spend a lot more on defence. So even though he was speaking to Europeans here in Brussels...

Actually, I felt a lot of this message was directed towards the United States, towards the incoming president. So there's flattery. And also the fact that when he was at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate just at the end of November, he was also using that tactic of Donald Trump wanting to be on top of things, a winner, to put America first. And he was saying, you know...

Actually, I felt a lot of this message was directed towards the United States, towards the incoming president. So there's flattery. And also the fact that when he was at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate just at the end of November, he was also using that tactic of Donald Trump wanting to be on top of things, a winner, to put America first. And he was saying, you know...

What's happening in Ukraine isn't just about Russia-Ukraine, because if there's a bad peace deal for Ukraine in here, then there's going to be a massive high five between Russia, North Korea, China and Iran as well. And so he's hoping to persuade the United States that it's in its interest to remain invested in European security. Will Donald Trump be persuaded?

What's happening in Ukraine isn't just about Russia-Ukraine, because if there's a bad peace deal for Ukraine in here, then there's going to be a massive high five between Russia, North Korea, China and Iran as well. And so he's hoping to persuade the United States that it's in its interest to remain invested in European security. Will Donald Trump be persuaded?

For many in Europe, that war does seem far away and they don't want to reduce spending on social security, for example, in order to give more to the defence budget. And Mark Ritter is saying that Europe is short-sighted because there's not only a threat of unconventional warfare, but also conventional warfare. He says in four or five years' time, there could be long-range missiles from Russia in

For many in Europe, that war does seem far away and they don't want to reduce spending on social security, for example, in order to give more to the defence budget. And Mark Ritter is saying that Europe is short-sighted because there's not only a threat of unconventional warfare, but also conventional warfare. He says in four or five years' time, there could be long-range missiles from Russia in

to the United Kingdom, into The Hague in the Netherlands. That's what he told me. How likely is it that Russia under Vladimir Putin would roll the tanks into a NATO member state like Poland, compared to disinformation, misinformation, cyber attacks, or critical infrastructure like those internet cables for financial transactions?

to the United Kingdom, into The Hague in the Netherlands. That's what he told me. How likely is it that Russia under Vladimir Putin would roll the tanks into a NATO member state like Poland, compared to disinformation, misinformation, cyber attacks, or critical infrastructure like those internet cables for financial transactions?

Do you see that as credible or is this scare tactics?

Do you see that as credible or is this scare tactics?

If Donald Trump reduces military support, if he does concentrate on Asia, for example, and turns his back more on Europe, can Europe go it alone? Yes, there's talks about not just agreeing this 2% of GDP spending, which was agreed 10 years ago, but 2.5, that's what the UK is aiming for, three possibly in the near future, if that's possible. Is that enough? How worried should Europeans feel?

If Donald Trump reduces military support, if he does concentrate on Asia, for example, and turns his back more on Europe, can Europe go it alone? Yes, there's talks about not just agreeing this 2% of GDP spending, which was agreed 10 years ago, but 2.5, that's what the UK is aiming for, three possibly in the near future, if that's possible. Is that enough? How worried should Europeans feel?

But could Europe go it alone in terms of defence?

But could Europe go it alone in terms of defence?