NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte commends Germany’s contributions to the alliance during a visit to Berlin ahead of the Ankara summit.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Berlin this week, where he lauded Germany’s significant contributions to the alliance’s security efforts. Speaking at a session of the German federal cabinet held at the Ministry of Defense, Rutte highlighted Germany’s leadership and delivery in key areas, including the German-Dutch Corps, the establishment of a tank brigade in Lithuania, airspace monitoring on NATO’s eastern flank, and the protection of critical infrastructure by the German Navy. He also praised Germany’s increased defense spending and its support for Ukraine.

Rutte emphasized the need for the defense industry to accelerate production, urging manufacturers to expand production lines and strengthen supply chains. ‘Deterrence is built as much in factories as it is projected by armed forces,’ he stated. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz assured that Germany remains a reliable NATO partner, while Defense Minister Boris Pistorius acknowledged Europe’s ongoing reliance on U.S. weapon systems. Merz also noted that European leaders plan to approach the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara with confidence, aiming to assert their role in the transatlantic partnership as the U.S. shifts focus toward the Indo-Pacific.