He said: “Some of Nato’s largest economies, some of our richest countries, allies that are happiest to go on about the rules-based international order and middle powers banding together, still seem to think the era of free-riding is here.”
Hegseth also announced a six-month review of America’s military footprint in Europe, which “will be designed to ensure that Nato is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading” on the continent’s security.
He added: “At the same time, going forward, our annual Nato dues will be contingent on other countries meeting their defence spending targets.
“Where other allies do not spend with urgency, our dues contributions will go down. Nato will be a two-way street.”
On the eve of the meeting of defence ministers, Rutte made clear his desire for members of the alliance to show how they plan to raise defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035 ahead of the Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey.
The commitment is split into a 3.5% GDP core defence spending commitment, and a 1.5% GDP commitment to wider resilience spending.
Rutte said: “Investing 5% of GDP in defence by 2035. That’s what we agreed.
“So, I expect nations to present clear, concrete and credible plans to reach that goal.
“Ideally, well ahead of the agreed timeline. And many are already showing that they are doing exactly that.”
