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Create an account Reset password Already have an account? Log in From now on you can download videos from our website If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below. Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password. The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters,...
Create an account Reset password Already have an account? Log in From now on you can download videos from our website If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below. Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password. The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Click the button to return to the page you were on and log in with your new password. 18 June 2026 3 MIN READ Good afternoon. We have just finished the last meeting of NATO defence ministers before the Ankara Summit, and we made good progress on our priorities. Spending more, and better, on the forces and capabilities we need to defend every inch of Allied territory. Around the table today I heard Ally, after Ally, after Ally explaining how they are increasing investment in defence. There is a strong commitment to get defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. Some Allies will already get there this year, way ahead of schedule. European allies and Canada are really stepping up with record increases last year, over $90 billion extra in real terms, which means $139 billion extra in nominal terms. I repeat, $139 billion extra. Cash is crucial, but you cannot stop a missile or a tank with a dollar or a euro. We need to turn the cash into combat-ready capabilities, and fast. This is our shared priority for the Ankara Summit, and the years ahead. We need more forces, we need more resources, and a strong industrial base. So today defence ministers agreed on a renewed push to turbo-charge transatlantic defence cooperation. We want to scale up our defence industries on both sides of the Atlantic -- while fostering the kind of cooperation that leads to better innovation as well as more production. NATO is, and will always be, a transatlantic Alliance. But we need a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO, through increased defence spending and defence production. And with European Allies and Canada, backed by American power, taking more responsibility for defence. The United States expressed strong commitment to NATO very clearly today. And we also heard about the importance of a more equitable distribution of labour, and how we must rebalance our security for the better. Secretary Hegseth was very clear about the need for a NATO 3.0, an Alliance rebooted for the modern age. On that we all agree. We heard the US announcement to review force posture in Europe. In today's dynamic security environment. I think it is prudent to ensure NATO's forces are optimally arrayed to deter conflict, and if necessary to defend against any threat. There was also broad agreement among Allies on the need to step up as the US adjusts its pledges to the NATO Force Model. The NATO Force Model is about planning. And planning is crucial if we are to be prepared. Allies have already filled some of the slots completely, others are nearly complete, others require more work. Allies in the nuclear planning group also met today to address NATO's nuclear capabilities, which are the ultimate guarantor of Allied security. I welcome the statement released by the NPG, which demonstrates Allies’ commitment to NATO's nuclear deterrence and reiterates our unity and our resolve. As the statement makes clear, we will continue to modernise our nuclear capabilities, improve planning, and adapt to ensure our nuclear deterrence remains fit for purpose. We, today, will shortly start a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which President Zelenskyy will join. Ukraine is changing the dynamic on the battlefield and inflicting huge losses on Russia. But they can only keep doing this if we step up our support, not just for immediate needs, such as air defence, but assessing how we can work together over the long term to ensure Ukraine can remain sovereign, free, and secure. Because Ukraine’s security is important for our own security. Link was copied to clipboard GALLERIES NATO Secretary General’s Press Conference 18 June 2026 1 / 5 Press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte following the meetings of NATO Ministers of Defence Press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte following the meetings of NATO Ministers of Defence Press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte following the meetings of NATO Ministers of Defence Press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte following the meetings of NATO Ministers of Defence Press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte following the meetings of NATO Ministers of Defence Back VIEW METADATA VIEW IMAGE Assets details Description Creation date Location Themes Reference Resolution Aspect radio Format Usage right Credit GALLERIES NATO Secretary General’s Press Conference Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 NATO Secretary General’s Press Conference [Opening remarks] Press conference of the NATO Secretary General View usage rights Usage rights CLOSE This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 NATO Secretary General’s Press Conference [Q&A-01] Press conference of the NATO Secretary General View usage rights Usage rights CLOSE This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 NATO Secretary General’s Press Conference [Q&A-02] Press conference of the NATO Secretary General View usage rights Usage rights CLOSE This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. TITLE DATE DURATION Press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte following the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte following the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte following the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte following the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence 0:00 / 0:00 Audio Language Selection: Audio Language Selection: Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Download Playback speed Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Back 0.25 0.5 0.75 Normal 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 Press conference by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte following the meetings of NATO Ministers of Defence in Brussels, Belgium 1 / 1 18 Jun 2026 Brussels, Belgium
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