Speaking at the European Council summit in Brussels, Mr Rutte said the British Government would have to put forward its own plan for the divorce bill the break the current stalemate in Brexit talks.
Speaking on the divorce bill, he told reporters: “I suspect that if they want progress, the British Government will have to tell us at the very least — if they don’t give us a number — how they think they will be able to get to a number, together with Europe. Otherwise we’ll keep going round in circles.”
The comments echo EU leaders’ demands that the UK agrees to a multi-million pound bill to break the deadlock in Brexit negotiations.
The pro-EU Dutch PM also said he still thought Brexit was a bad idea and would have negative repercussions for Europe and the UK.
But he said he wanted to reach a Brexit settlement that would be good for both sides.
He said: “We have to take into account that they’ll want to continue Brexit. But I still think it is a very bad plan: it is very bad for Europe, it is very bad for England.
“[British families] pay a very high price for Brexit. … So please, don’t do it.
“But if you do, let’s do everything we can to get to a Brexit that limits the damage for everyone.”
Mr Rutte’s comments on the divorce bill follow warnings earlier this week that it would be “foolish” to agree to the divorce bill at this early stage.
The UK ambassador to Poland, Jonathan Knott, argued that the cost of Britain’s withdrawal can only be decided further down the line.
Mr Knott told the Polish Press Agency (PAP): “Brexit is a little like a divorce.
“And in this situation we’re talking about what the financial situation is before we know which side is going to get the kids.
“You just don’t do that. That would be a foolish thing to do.”
Prime Minster Theresa May offered to pay the EU an £18 billion (€20 billion) divorce bill in a key speech delivered in Florence, Italy, in September.
But the offer has been slapped down by Antonio Tajani, former President of the European Parliament, who said the sum was “peanuts”.
The European Union politician demanded that Britain prepares a staggering £45 to £53 billion (€50 to €60 billion) into the EU’s coffers.