NATO Chief Warns of Imminent Threat from Russia, Urges Members to Boost Defense Spending

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has sounded the alarm, warning that the military alliance’s members are not spending enough to prepare for a potential conflict with Russia. In a stark assessment, Rutte stated that Moscow is “preparing for long-term confrontation with Ukraine and with us,” describing the current security situation as the worst in his lifetime.

Rutte’s comments come at a critical juncture, with Russian forces making gains in eastern Ukraine. By November, Moscow had seized six times as much Ukrainian territory in 2024 compared to the whole of 2023. The NATO chief warned that the alliance’s members are not ready for the impending threat, urging them to “turbocharge” their defense spending.

NATO members have pledged to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense by 2024, but Rutte emphasized that “a lot more” would be needed to prevent war. He noted that European members had spent upwards of 3% of GDP on defense during the Cold War. Rutte’s warning takes on added significance as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Trump has previously suggested that the US would not protect NATO allies that fail to meet their defense spending commitments.

In February, Trump sparked controversy by stating that he would “encourage” Russia to attack any NATO member that fails to pay its bills. Rutte’s comments can be seen as a response to Trump’s remarks, emphasizing the need for NATO members to take their defense commitments seriously. Russia’s defense spending has increased significantly since its invasion of Ukraine, with record levels approved for 2025. Rutte warned that Russia’s economy is “on a war footing,” with its defense spend set to be “a third of Russia’s state budget – and the highest level since the Cold War”.