Mark Rutte’s new course it doesn’t take long to wait. As soon as he received the baton from Jens Stoltenberg, the new general secretary of the Born he made his priorities clear: support Kiev and prepare to face the threat of Fly with a massive plan to strengthen the western defensive shield. The Alliance, according to some confidential documents cited by the German newspaper the Worldis then ready to ask governments to deploy almost fifty more brigades: more 150 thousand soldiers to be recruited from scratch or transferred from other bodies of the national armed forces, to be added to new systems Patriot, Iris T-Slm And Skyranger.
A return to the big numbers of Cold War which, before ending up on the table of the Defense ministerial on 17 and 18 October in Brussels, could also be of interest to the talks at the summit on Ukraine convened by Joe Biden on October 12 at the base of Ramsteinon the sidelines of the discussion with the president Volodymyr Zelensky.
The new requests from NATO
Definitely more political tone than its robotic predecessor on its debut Rutte he was quick to ask his allies not to make excuses for avoiding the necessary economic and military commitment. In recent months, the allies have received “all the minimum capabilities required” to defend every inch of the territory and close the gaps identified by military experts. A plan drawn up by the US general Christopher Cavoli and by the French admiral Pierre Vandierwhich provides for a significant increase in ranks: we will move from 82 combat brigade deemed sufficient before the Russian invasion of Ukraine a 131.
Strengthening of NATO defenses
It will also be necessary to replenish the equipment in terms of air defense, ammunition, long-range precision weapons, logistics and transport: the supply of land-based anti-aircraft units to protect itself from missile attacks it will have to increase from 293 to 1,467while the number of helicopters should rise from 90 to 104. And, although the drawing refers to the years following the 2030the two Alliance commanders called for “procurement for the most urgent capabilities to be initiated as quickly as possible.”
Economic and military challenges
The objectives, all binding, will be presented to the defense ministers a Brusselsonce again opening the discussion on the need for “significant additional financial resources” to be deployed. In all likelihood, it is highlighted in the documents, “well beyond” that 2% which, despite representing the minimum wage forcefully requested since the beginning of the conflict triggered by Kremlinto date only 23 NATO countries on his 32 members they can ensure. The amount of allocations will still be determined by the “relative wealth and size of an ally’s population.” But the frugal Rutte he will be forced to take on the role of the one who asks to put his hand into his wallet.
The focus on Zelensky’s victory plan
Allies could talk about it at leader level already at Ramsteinwhere the focus will however be on «victory plan» announced by Zelenskywith “clear and concrete steps towards a just end to the war”. Rejecting defense plans is not considered, in diplomatic jargon, “advisable”: doing so – even considering the desire to Fly to bring its military spending to record levels 25% of GDP – “it would call into question the credibility of the entire alliance.”