NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that European members of the alliance could become “Russia’s next target,” urging a rapid surge in defense spending to deter future aggression.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Rutte said Europe must prepare for the kind of large-scale conflict past generations endured, noting that “conflict is at our door.” He argued that Russia could be ready to strike NATO within five years if allies fail to strengthen their militaries.
BREAKING: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says, "we must be ready for the scale of war our parents and great-grandparents endured" https://t.co/5MpePzQTlm
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 11, 2025
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/2K0UDff0DN
The warning comes as European leaders debate a U.S.-backed peace proposal for Ukraine and face heightened pressure from Washington.
NATO members have already agreed to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, a long-standing demand of President Donald Trump.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Berlin:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 11, 2025
"We are Russia's next target."
"We must shift to a wartime mindset. Ukraine must have what it needs to defend itself."
"Russia is losing 1,200 soldiers a day. If Putin is willing to sacrifice ordinary Russians like this, what is he… pic.twitter.com/ke3QVuH7Kp
Rutte praised Trump for breaking the diplomatic deadlock with Vladimir Putin but stressed that any final settlement must include strong security guarantees for Ukraine. Territorial decisions, he said, must remain solely with the Ukrainian people.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
