Its secretary-general, , on Thursday called on allies to step up their defense efforts in order to prevent one of the , which could be “on the scale of the wars experienced by our grandparents and great-grandparents”.
To be ready against the Russian threat
In a speech in Berlin, Rutte stressed that too many allies of the military alliance do not understand the urgent nature of the Russian threat in Europe and that they must immediately increase defense spending and production in order to prevent a war similar to those faced by previous generations.
“We are Russia’s next target. I fear many are quietly complacent. Many do not understand the urgency. And many believe that time is on our side. Is not. The time for action is now,” Rutte said.
“The conflict is at our door. Russia brought war back to Europe. We have to be ready,” he added.
Rutte also estimated that Russia could be ready to use military force against NATO within the next five years.
