NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte issued a stark warning to the alliance’s European members, cautioning them of a possible conflict on a historic scale and urging them to immediately step up their defense efforts. Speaking in Berlin, Rutte declared, “Conflict is at our door. Russia has brought war back to Europe,” comparing the potential conflict to the scale of war endured by past generations.
Rutte expressed concern that many allies were complacent about the threat, stating, “I fear that too many are quietly complacent. Too many don’t feel the urgency.” He warned that NATO members could be “Russia’s next target” and suggested that Moscow could be prepared to use military force against the alliance within five years.
Key Takeaways from Rutte’s Address:
- Urgent Call to Action: Rutte stressed that “The time for action is now” and pressed allies to increase defense spending and ramp up production to prevent a war on the scale witnessed in the past.
- Scale of Russian Aggression: He cited that Russia has launched over 46,000 drones and missiles against Ukraine so far this year.
- China’s Role Highlighted: Rutte described China as a “lifeline” for Russia’s war effort, alleging that Beijing is supplying most of the critical electronic components needed for weapons, thereby seeking to prevent its ally from losing in Ukraine.
- Discussions on Ukraine Security: Rutte was reported to have joined discussions on U.S. security guarantees to Ukraine alongside key figures including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and others.