NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that alliance states have become Russia's next target and has urged immediate action.

Source: Rutte during a speech in Berlin on 11 December, cited by The Guardian, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Rutte said that although the decision taken at the NATO summit in The Hague earlier this year to increase defence spending had been welcomed, "this is not a time for self-congratulation".

Quote: "I'm here today to tell you where NATO stands and what we must do to stop a war before it starts. 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."

More details: Rutte added that "too many don't feel the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side".

Quote: "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."

More details: Rutte stressed that Russia "has become even more brazen, reckless and ruthless towards NATO and towards Ukraine".

Quote: "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."

More details: Rutte said that it is important that "all of us keep up the pressure on Russia and support the genuine efforts to bring this war to an end".

Background:

• European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius believes that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin could order an attack on a NATO state within the next two to four years.
• German Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank is confident that Russia is capable of carrying out a limited attack on NATO territory at any moment.

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