NATO’s Rutte: ‘we’re Russia’s next target, any aggressor must expect hard response’

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday warned the Alliance should consider itself Russia’s next potential military target, stressing the urgency of strengthening collective defence.

“We must clearly understand the threat: we are Russia’s next target and we are already at risk,” Rutte said during remarks in Berlin.

He cautioned that now is not the time for “complacency” or “self-congratulation”, noting that although NATO members have agreed to increase defence spending, current efforts remain insufficient.

“I fear that too many are quietly satisfied with this. Too many believe that time is on our side. It is not. It is time to act. Defence spending and production must increase rapidly. Our armed forces must have everything they need to ensure our security,” he stated.

Rutte added that Russian President Vladimir Putin sees Western nations as the main threat to his power. According to him, Moscow’s lifeline is currently China, while the Kremlin also benefits from support from authoritarian regimes in North Korea and Iran.

“Our unwavering commitment to Article 5 - that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all - sends a powerful message. Any aggressor must know that we can and will respond forcefully,” Rutte said.