NATO's Secretary-General urged European leaders to step up defence efforts to prevent a war waged by Russia, that could be "on the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured".
Speaking in Berlin, Mark Rutte expressed concern that too many NATO member states have failed to grasp the immediacy of the threat posed by the Kremlin. In a candid assessment of the current geopolitical climate, the former Dutch Prime Minister stressed that the only way to avert a direct military confrontation is through a rapid and substantial increase in defence capabilities.
He warned that Russia could be militarily ready of launching an attack against NATO territory within the next five years.
"We must be prepared now," Rutte told the audience, urging allies to move beyond peacetime planning. He argued that the current pace of rearmament is insufficient to match a Russian economy that has effectively shifted to a total war footing.
"We are Russia's next target. And we are already in harm's way. When I became NATO Secretary General last year, I warned that what is happening in Ukraine could happen to allied countries too. That we have to shift to a wartime mindset," Rutte added.
While defence spending has risen across the alliance since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Rutte emphasised that financial pledges alone are no longer enough. The focus, he argued, must shift toward tangible industrial output.
"More allies, more allies in Europe need to urgently step up. We are grateful for the United States efforts in pursuing a lasting peace in Ukraine. Relevant progress has been made with crucial Ukrainian and European involvement," he said.
The NATO chief called for a massive expansion in the production of ammunition, weaponry, and military hardware to replenish depleted stockpiles and ensure credible deterrence. His remarks align with recent calls from military analysts who suggest that Europe must "future-proof" its security architecture, regardless of political changes in Washington.
Rutte’s intervention comes at a critical juncture for the security alliance. As the war in Ukraine approaches its third year, European nations are under increasing pressure to shoulder a larger burden of their own security.
Several NATO members on the eastern flank, including Poland and the Baltic states, have already exceeded the alliance's target of spending 2% of GDP on defence. However, Rutte’s speech in Germany—Europe’s largest economy—was a clear signal that the continent’s major powers must lead the charge in strengthening the NATO shield.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf has ruled out a new round of negotiations with the U.S. in Islamabad on Tuesday “und...
Britain’s government outlined plans on Tuesday (21 April) to reduce household energy bills by encouraging wind ...
Jars of baby food deliberately tampered with rat poison and discovered in Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia were part of an attempted extort...
The architect of the modern K-pop boom, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest by South Korean police over claims he illegall...
The escalating conflict involving Iran, the U.S. and Israel is fuelling what could become the most severe energy crisis the world has ever faced, a...
Britain’s government outlined plans on Tuesday (21 April) to reduce household energy bills by encouraging wind and solar producers to adopt long-term fixed contracts.
The architect of the modern K-pop boom, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest by South Korean police over claims he illegally gained millions in an investor fraud scheme.
China's domestic automakers have a message for the boardrooms of premium German brands such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW: We are coming for your customers, and we are armed with superior technology at a fraction of the cost.
Prospects for new peace talks between Iran and the U.S. are “dim,” with both sides operating on false assumptions, a political analyst told AnewZ.
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).
Pakistan is confident it can bring Iran to talks with the United States, a senior official said, citing “positive signals” from Tehran, as JD Vance is reportedly set to visit Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks, according to Axios.
A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake has struck off Japan’s north-eastern coast, triggering urgent tsunami warnings with waves of up to 3 metres expected, prompting residents to seek immediate safety.
Blue Origin, the U.S. space company of billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, successfully reused and recovered a booster for its New Glenn rocket launched from Florida on Sunday (19 April), in the latest chapter of its intensifying rivalry with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Britain’s government outlined plans on Tuesday (21 April) to reduce household energy bills by encouraging wind and solar producers to adopt long-term fixed contracts.
The escalating conflict involving Iran, the U.S. and Israel is fuelling what could become the most severe energy crisis the world has ever faced, according to the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
A Canadian woman has been shot dead and 13 others injured in a shooting at the Teotihuacan pyramids on Monday, one of Mexico’s most visited tourist attractions.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of April, covering the latest developments you need to know
Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest overhaul of defence export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions on overseas arms sales and opening the way for exports of warships, missiles and other weapons.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment