Overview
- Mark Rutte cautioned that Russia could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years, saying the conflict now stands at Europe’s doorstep.
- He cited more than 46,000 Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukraine this year, an estimated output of about 2,900 attack drones per month, and roughly 1,200 Russian casualties per day in 2025, with about 1.1 million killed or wounded since 2022.
- Calling for immediate deliveries to Kyiv, Rutte pressed allies to raise spending and output as several NATO states move to buy additional U.S. weapons and the EU searches for extra financing.
- Rutte warned that a Russian occupation of Ukraine would extend NATO’s frontline and require sweeping changes to deterrence and defense.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said strengthening NATO’s European pillar is his top priority, while Rutte argued President Donald Trump is uniquely positioned to bring Vladimir Putin to talks and Merz expects planned U.S. long‑range systems to be stationed in Germany from 2026.