NATO Chief Warns: Europe Could Be Next
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that Russia could become the next threat to the Alliance, calling for urgent strengthening of defense capabilities and support for Ukraine.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to The Guardian.
At the Munich Security Conference in Berlin, Rutte openly stated that the time for complacency is over and immediate action is needed.
“I’m here today to tell you where Nato stands and what we must do to stop a war before it starts. And to do that, we need to be crystal clear about the threat: we are Russia’s next target, and we are already in harm’s way,” he said, emphasizing the necessity of increasing defense spending and ensuring that allied armies have all the resources required for security.
Rutte highlighted that Russia is becoming increasingly reckless, aggressive, and ruthless not only towards Ukraine but also towards NATO. He compared Putin’s actions to the imperial ambitions of the Soviet era and noted that Russia receives support from China, North Korea, and Iran to pursue its aggressive policies.
A key message from Rutte was that Ukraine’s security directly affects Europe’s security. If Russia succeeds in implementing its plans in Ukraine, it would increase the risk of armed conflict with NATO countries, require a substantial buildup of military presence on the eastern flank, and significantly raise defense spending.
According to him, in a scenario of an armed conflict againts NATO, the allies "would long for the days when 3.5% of GDP on core defence was enough", as the number would grow massively with possible emergency budget cuts to public spending, economic disruption and further financial pressure.
"So let’s not forget Ukraine’s security is our security,” Rutte stressed.
The Secretary General emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine, countering disinformation, and preparing for possible escalations. He also noted Putin’s attempts to influence events through sabotage and attacks on critical infrastructure, commercial warehouses, and railways.
“Nato’s response to Russias provocations has been calm...But we need to be prepared for further escalation and confrontation," he said.
Rutte urged allies not to reduce pressure on Russia and to continue supporting genuine peace efforts. He reminded that NATO’s Article 5 – an attack on one is an attack on all – sends a signal to potential aggressors about the Alliance’s readiness to respond decisively.
Regarding a potential peace settlement, Rutte said it is difficult to determine an exact timeline, and the final outcome depends on Putin’s actions.
“I don’t know, this is a test which I also said to my speech – we have to test Putin,” he stated.
At the same time, Mark Rutte praised the efforts of allies, including the US, Germany, France, the UK, Poland, Italy, and Canada, in seeking paths to peace but emphasized the need to test the Russian president’s intentions.
As The Gaze reported earlier, at a press conference alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that the United States has been invited to join a key meeting in Berlin on a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. The talks next week are expected to focus on coordinating peace initiatives and positions regarding potential territorial concessions, with Merz emphasizing that final decisions belong solely to the Ukrainian president and people.
Merz noted that despite significant progress in peace efforts, the process remains challenging due to ongoing Russian aggression and the Kremlin’s apparent lack of willingness to engage seriously in negotiations.
Read also on The Gaze: Putin’s Long Game: Why Europe’s Real Battle Is Now in Its Governments, Not Ukraine