'We Are Russia's Next Target': NATO Chief Urges European Allies To Step Up Defence Efforts

Last Updated:December 11, 2025, 23:22 IST

Rutte warned that Russia could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years on the scale of "war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured".

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaking in Berlin. (Reuters)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday urged European allies to step up defence efforts to prevent a war waged by Russia, warning that the Western alliance could be Moscow’s next target after Ukraine.

In a speech in Berlin, Rutte said too many allies of the military alliance did not feel the urgency of Russia’s threat in Europe and that they must rapidly increase defence spending and production to prevent a war on the scale of that seen by past generations.

“We are Russia’s next target. I fear that too many are quietly complacent. Too many don’t feel the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side. It is not. The time for action is now," he said, while warning that the conflict could be “on the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured".

Rutte said Russia could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years. “Conflict is at our door. Russia has brought war back to Europe. And we must be prepared," he added.

Ukraine War Hangs In Balance

Rutte’s remarks came as European leaders are scrambling for a response as US President Donald Trump proposed a sweeping peace plan to halt the Ukraine conflict that many see as favouring Russia by pressuring Kyiv to surrender territory and cut its military.

Trump has disparaged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called European leaders weak, and set a strategy of improving Washington’s relationship with Moscow. This has shaken Europe, who are wary of Russia’s increasing influence as peace talks failed to produce any breakthrough.

Rutte said Russia has launched over 46,000 drones and missiles against Ukraine so far this year. He also described China as “Russia’s lifeline" for its war effort in Ukraine by providing most of the critical electronic components Moscow needs for its weapons. “China wants to prevent its ally from losing in Ukraine," Rutte said.

He said if the United States and Europeans could agree on a plan to end the war in Ukraine, this would be a “test" of whether Russia “really wants peace". He expressed optimism that the US and Europe can get on the same page to halt Russia’s invasion.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said they had sent Washington an updated plan for ending Russia’s invasion, building on a 28-point proposal made by US President Donald Trump last month.

(with inputs from agencies)

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