NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized during his speech in Berlin on Thursday, December 11, that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not intend to limit his actions to the war in Ukraine. According to him, NATO's primary task is to halt Russian aggression. Rutte stated, “We are the next target of Russia,” adding that the threat is already present.
According to Rutte, NATO's objectives are to prevent war and enhance the defensive capabilities of its armed forces. He called for increased support to Ukraine and higher defense spending. “Our armed forces must have all the tools necessary for defense. Ukraine must receive all essential means for its defense now,” he said.
He also mentioned that NATO allies often fail to perceive the urgency of the situation and mistakenly believe that time is on their side. “But this is not the case,” Rutte stressed.
Commenting on the United States' efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Rutte referred to Donald Trump as the only individual capable of negotiating with Putin. Thus, he added, it is crucial to determine whether Putin seeks peace or is resolved to continue the war. Rutte underscored the need to maintain pressure on Russia.
Rutte warned of a scenario in which Russia achieves its objectives and Ukraine is occupied. In such a situation, Russia’s borders with NATO would become longer, substantially increasing the risk of armed attacks. According to him, this would necessitate significant changes in defense, new budgets, and increased financial strain. “This would mean economic crises, reduced government spending, and new financial pressures,” he highlighted. Mark Rutte emphasized that Ukraine’s security is deeply intertwined with NATO’s overall security.
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