NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and later Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák on Thursday, discussing Slovakia’s role in NATO and the EU. Both leaders agreed that Europe’s outdated defense strategy, designed for peacetime, needs urgent reform.
Rutte didn’t mince words, stressing that current EU defense spending isn’t enough. “Two percent won’t cut it,” he warned. Pellegrini acknowledged the concern but noted the debate was far from settled.
Interestingly, Pellegrini avoided directly mentioning Russia in his remarks. “Our military was built for peace, as if war would never return to Europe. We’re not prepared to face threats—whoever they may be,” he said.
On Ukraine, both leaders agreed that any future peace deal must be lasting, with firm security guarantees. Pellegrini underscored the EU’s role, urging a confident approach backed by concrete proposals.
