NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has commended Estonia for its exceptional defense spending and contributions to the alliance.
What happened
Rutte made the remarks during an official visit to Estonia, where he met with Prime Minister Kristen Michal. Estonia's defense spending, which accounts for 5% of its GDP, is among the highest of NATO member states.
Rutte also acknowledged Estonia's leadership in supporting Ukraine, particularly in the face of Russian hybrid attacks. He emphasized that these attacks are a sign of weakness and an attempt to divert attention away from Ukraine's fight.
Michal reiterated Estonia's commitment to supporting Ukraine, citing it as a crucial aspect of the country's own security. He announced Estonia's plans to continue providing military aid to Ukraine, including a new €10 million contribution to NATO's Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.
Rutte and Michal also discussed the possibility of Ukraine's NATO membership, which is currently not on the table due to opposition from several countries. However, they emphasized the importance of continued support for Ukraine and the need for effective air defense systems.
