NATO Chief Warns Russia Could Attack Europe Within Five Years

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that Russia could pose a direct military threat to NATO member states within the next five years, calling on allies to urgently strengthen their defenses.

Speaking in Berlin on Friday, December 12, Rutte said the danger from Russia is no longer theoretical, arguing that Moscow's military posture and aggressive behavior are now evident along Europe's borders.

He cautioned that many NATO allies still do not treat the Russian threat with the urgency it demands, urging governments to increase defense spending and significantly expand weapons and ammunition production.

Rutte stressed that the security of Europe and the United States is inseparable, adding that a stronger defense industrial base is essential to provide credible deterrence against what he described as Moscow's increasingly“reckless and brutal” conduct.

His warning comes amid Western intelligence reports of expanded Russian military deployments near NATO territory and a rise in hybrid activities, including cyberattacks and political interference, across several European capitals.

Defense analysts say Russia's sustained arms production, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, underscores the need for NATO to accelerate long-term military preparedness.

Rutte concluded that decisive action now would reduce the risk of future conflict, emphasizing that unity, readiness, and industrial capacity remain NATO's strongest safeguards against Russian aggression.

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