Rutte does not want to comment on any figures at the press conference after Thursday's foreign minister meeting in Turkish Belek. His words are still a confirmation that the alliance is aiming for a "double goal" when the heads of state and government gather in the Netherlands on June 24-25.
I am fairly convinced that we in The Hague will commit to ambitious defense expenditure goals. It may involve basic defense expenditures, but also a clear commitment to defense investments, Rutte says after the meeting.
Even if he does not say it straight out, one openly counts on a goal to allocate corresponding 3.5 percent of GDP to "normal" defense expenditures and then also 1.5 percent to roads and bridges and other military benefits.
Rutte simultaneously repeats Nato's continued support to Ukraine – even if the USA has clearly turned away from the idea of the country becoming a member of Nato in recent months.
That promise, however, Sweden wants to keep.
We are very much aware that it is not a decision that will be able to be made tomorrow. But that it is a long-term goal that we must stand firm on, says Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (The Moderate Party) in Belek.
