The NATO chief warned ‘too many European leaders are quietly complacent’
There are mounting fears over the prospect of World War 3 after NATO chief Mark Rutte told leaders that Europe “is Russia’s next target” and that “the time for action is now” in order to stop Vladimir Putin.
The alliance’s secretary general, a former Dutch Prime Minister, delivered the speech to the press at a conference in Berlin following a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Express reports.
NATO allies have pledged more than $4bn in military supplies for Ukraine as it continues to deal with a fractured relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently touted European leaders as ‘weak’ and in charge of ‘decaying’ countries.
“I’m here today to tell you where NATO stands and what we must do to stop a war before it starts,” Rutte told reporters, adding: “And to do that, we need to be crystal clear about the threat: we are Russia’s next target, and we are already in harm’s way.”
While he praised the decision to accelerate defence spending at NATO’s Hague summit earlier this year, he warned that “this is not a time for self-congratulation.”
“I fear that too many are quietly complacent,” Rutte continued. “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. Allied defence spending and production must rise rapidly. Our armed forces must have what they need to keep us safe.”
In 2025, Russia ramped up its bombardments against Ukraine, despite Putin holding peace talks with Trump. Rutte says the Eastern European superpower “has become even more brazen, reckless and ruthless towards NATO and towards Ukraine”.
Rutte continued: “During the Cold War, President Reagan warned about the aggressive impulses of an evil empire. Today, President Putin is in the empire-building business again.”
China was also cited as being Russia’s “lifeline”, allowing Putin to continue his land grab in Ukraine, while North Korea and Iran also provide troops and weapons to force Ukraine into submission.
Trump was praised for his efforts, as Rutte pointed out: “He is the only one who can get Putin to the negotiating table. So let’s put Putin to the test. Let’s see if he really wants peace or if he prefers the slaughter to continue.”
