NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said members have to boost spending. If not Europeans should "get out your Russian language courses or go to New Zealand," he said. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told members of the security alliance to boost defense spending or prepare to learn Russian.

In his first speech to the European Parliament since taking office, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged E.U. countries on Monday to increase their defense spending, according to Politico.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warns of increasing threats from Russia and its allies. During the NATO Military Committee meeting in Brussels, he emphasized the necessity of increasing defense spending to ensure future security.

NATO has declined to support former President Donald Trump’s proposed defense spending target, signaling a continued reluctance to meet the ambitious benchmark. However, the alliance has agreed to increase its spending commitments,