As 2025 draws to a close, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called for unwavering support for Ukraine, cautioning that any weakening of resolve could heighten security threats across Europe.
In a recent interview with dpa, Rutte highlighted that maintaining Ukraine's strength is crucial to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from considering an assault on any NATO country.
He underscored the importance of NATO members boosting their defense expenditures, aligning with the pledges made during the alliance's summit in The Hague this past June.
"If we do those two things, we are strong enough to defend ourselves, and Putin will never try," Rutte stated, addressing concerns about a possible Russian attack on the alliance.
The former Dutch prime minister warned that rearmament must proceed swiftly, noting that intelligence reports suggest the security environment could turn perilous by 2027 if action is delayed.
Rutte cited Russia's military budget as a clear indicator of the threat, mentioning that Moscow now allocates over 40% of its state funds to defense.
He also referenced the conflict in Ukraine as proof of Putin's readiness to endure significant casualties, with estimates indicating approximately 1.1 million Russian troops have been killed or injured.
