Overview
- In a Berlin speech, Mark Rutte said NATO countries are already at risk and warned Russia could be ready to use force against the alliance within five years.
- He pressed allies to boost budgets and production quickly, pointing to commitments to raise European defense spending to as much as 5% of GDP by 2035.
- Rutte cited recent below‑threshold operations as escalating risks, referencing drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace, Russian fighters entering Estonian airspace, and suspected sabotage of infrastructure.
- He praised the PURL initiative for supplying much of Ukraine’s Patriot air-defense capability and urged more nations to contribute.
- European governments moved to strengthen preparedness, with UK ministers outlining whole‑of‑society planning, as US‑led peace talks continued and Russian officials publicly denied any intent to attack NATO.