Secretary-General Mark Rutte has warned that NATO is unprepared for potential future conflicts with Russia, urging member states to adopt a wartime mindset.

"We are not ready for what may come in the next 4-5 years. Danger is approaching us at full speed," NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte cautioned on December 12. "Russia is preparing for a prolonged confrontation with Ukraine and with us. What is happening in Ukraine could happen here."

While Rutte emphasized that no immediate military threat exists, he called on NATO to act swiftly and decisively to strengthen defenses and prevent potential future conflicts.

"We can prevent the next major conflict on NATO territory," Rutte said. "It’s time to shift to a wartime mindset, accelerating our production and defense spending."

His remarks come as Russia gains an advantage on the frontlines against an increasingly fatigued Ukrainian force. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has compelled NATO to bolster its eastern flank and increase defense budgets. However, NATO members still lag behind Russia in terms of weapon production capacity.

Last year, NATO’s 32 members set a minimum defense spending target of 2% of GDP. While 23 countries are expected to meet this goal this year, Rutte argued that NATO members need to further increase their defense budgets.

"Russia’s economy is operating in wartime mode, with defense spending by 2025 projected to account for one-third of the national budget — the highest level since the Cold War," Rutte stated. "If we don’t collectively spend more to deter war, we’ll pay a far higher price to fight it."

Despite numerous initiatives to boost Europe’s weapons production, Rutte admitted that Western nations’ efforts to enhance their military capabilities fall far short of what is needed. "We risk falling behind, and that is very dangerous," he warned.

The NATO Secretary-General criticized Europe’s defense industry as being "too small, too fragmented, and too slow," urging companies in the sector to innovate, take risks, work overtime, and establish additional production lines.

(Sources: AFP, AP, BBC)