NATO boss Mark Rutte warns Britain it must break the bank for huge rises in defence spending – after Donald Trump’s shock policy U-turns on Ukraine

Nato’s Secretary General has warned Britain it must break the bank for huge rises in defence spending following the US’s policy U-turn on Ukraine.

Responding to demands by Donald Trump for Europe to pay for its own security, Mark Rutte said members committing about 2 per cent of GDP should go to ‘north of 3 per cent’.

A hike in Armed Forces investment such as this would cost the Treasury an additional tens of billions of pounds over this parliament.

Britain is also expected to be asked to provide 10,000 to 15,000 troops for any post-conflict Ukrainian stabilisation force, which would cost an estimated £3billion to £4billion per year.

The warning came as a senior Tory told the Commons that Britain must be ready to enter a war with Russia.

At a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Brussels yesterday, Mr Rutte said Europe had to ‘spend more, spend more, and those not on 2 per cent, get to 2 per cent by this summer, and those on 2 per cent prepare for much, much more. And it will be north of 3 per cent’.

He added: ‘What is behind this is two things. One is the genuine issue that the US has to concentrate on multiple theatres [of conflict].

‘The other is the continuous debate the US is having with European allies. They [the US] are right, they have every right to be extremely irritated about spending. 

Nato ‘s Secretary General Mark Rutte said members currently committing around 2 per cent of GDP should go to ‘north of 3 per cent’

The Mail has demanded the government increase defence spending to reflect the unprecedented threats to this country posed by Russia. Pictured: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin

UK Defence Secretary John Healey refused seven times to answer a question on when the UK will increase spending

‘It might mean increased taxation but, hey, guess what, it is the same for the US.

‘When you spend 3.5 per cent on defence, then you cannot spend it on your pensions or you cannot lower your taxes by that amount.’

Britain currently spends 2.3 per cent on defence, with Labour facing calls for this to increase.

In the Commons yesterday, Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said the UK ‘must be ready to fight a war with Russia, if necessary’. 

A Strategic Defence Review (SDR) ordered by the Government in July last year is also expected to be revisited.

Former military intelligence officer Philip Ingram said: ‘If the SDR doesn’t come up with 3 per cent as the initial answer and 5 per cent as the target, we will suffer the wrath of Trump.

‘There must be a huge growth in conventional land and air capacity. We are in a very dangerous time – if China decides to take Taiwan by force, Putin will see that as an opportunity and it will lead to global conflict.’ 

Tory defence spokesman Mark Francois said: ‘UK defence spending has to rise. It would be bonkers to give up that money to Mauritius to rent back [the Chagos] islands we already own, rather than spend it on our Armed Forces.’ 

US President Donald Trump 

Senior Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said in the Commons yesterday that Britain ‘must be ready to fight a war with Russia, if necessary’

Mark Francois (pictured) said the implications shone a light on the ridiculousness of the UK giving £18 billion to Mauritius to pay for access to the Chagos Islands

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives for a press conference during a NATO Defence Ministers meeting at the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels

But in an interview this week, Defence Secretary John Healey refused to answer a question on when the UK would increase spending and by how much. 

The PM is set to hold talks with defence chiefs about the future shape of the Armed Forces.

Senior officers have asked for at least 2.65 per cent of GDP but the Government wants to cap defence investment at 2.3 per cent until the economy improves.

The difference in their positions is expected to lead to ‘real cuts’ in the capabilities of the armed forces.

Last year the Mail revealed how Army training and transport budgets have been slashed. 

Defence officials even attempted to recoup a £13 million grant to the Chelsea Pensioners before the Mail stepped in and the plan was scrapped.

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