Overview
- In a Berlin speech, the NATO secretary general called for a wartime mindset and a swift surge in European defense spending and arms production.
- He said Russia could be prepared to use force against NATO within five years and highlighted recent hybrid attacks and sabotage in Poland and the Baltic states.
- Rutte warned that a Ukrainian defeat would extend NATO’s border with Russia and force a major shift in posture, with defense outlays far exceeding the 3.5% of GDP once seen as sufficient.
- After meeting Rutte, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin could host peace negotiations next week and that Washington has received a Ukrainian counterproposal that includes possible territorial concessions.
- Merz added that U.S. participation may depend on jointly formulated documents and expressed optimism that conditions to convene the talks can be met.