NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is calling on European members to increase defense spending as allies prepare for the bloc’s upcoming summit. His message centers on a familiar alliance debate: how to share the costs of collective security more evenly across the Atlantic.

Rutte’s push comes as NATO members face continued pressure to strengthen military readiness amid a more volatile security environment. European governments have been under growing scrutiny from Washington and NATO leadership to meet higher spending targets and expand defense capabilities.

The spending issue is expected to be a key topic at the summit, where leaders will weigh budget commitments, military preparedness, and long-term support for the alliance’s deterrence posture. The discussion also reflects broader concerns about whether current defense levels match the risks NATO says it faces.

For European capitals, the debate is not only about meeting alliance expectations but also about balancing security demands with domestic political and economic pressures. The summit is likely to test how far members are willing to go to reinforce NATO unity through higher military investment.