NATO chief warns allies to prepare for possible conflict: ‘We are Russia’s next target'

“Conflict is at our door. Russia has brought war back to Europe,” Mark Rutte said in Berlin.

Updated on: Dec 12, 2025, 03:33:50 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

NATO chief Mark Rutte on Thursday cautioned the alliance's European allies of a possible conflict, while urging them to step up their defence efforts and be prepared.

Mark Rutte urged the allies to increase their defence spending and ramp up production to prevent a war. (Bloomberg)

While flagging his concerns, Rutte warned that the NATO allies could be “Russia's next target”, Reuters news agency reported.

“Conflict is at our door. Russia has brought war back to Europe,” Rutte said in a speech in Berlin. The NATO chief said that the possible conflict could be “on the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured.”

Rutte further said that several of the allies of the military alliance did not seem to feel the urgency of the Russian threat in Europe. “I fear that too many are quietly complacent. Too many don't feel the urgency,” the NATO chief said.

Also Read | Zelensky rejects ceding land to Russia as Trump pushes for reply to Ukraine peace plan

He urged the allies to increase their defence spending and ramp up production to prevent a war on the scale the past generations had witnessed, “…Too many believe that time is on our side. It is not. The time for action is now,” Rutte warned.

Rutte further said that Russia could be prepared to use military force against the NATO allies within five years, according to the Reuters report.

The NATO chief said that Russia has, so far this year, launched over 46,000 drones and missiles against Ukraine, the Associated Press reported.

He also highlighted Russia's ties with China, while describing the latter as Moscow's “lifeline” for its war effort in Ukraine. Rutte alleged that China was supplying most of the critical electronic components needed for weapons to Russia. “China wants to prevent its ally from losing in Ukraine,” the NATO chief added.

Rutte had on Thursday joined discussions on US security guarantees to Ukraine, AP reported. The NATO chief was on the call alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.